Archive for the 'Hebrew Online' Category

According to the common saying, “Flattery will get you everywhere.” Whether pitching to a new client, trying to negotiate a lower price in the market, or starting a conversation with someone across the bar from you, compliments can go a long way toward getting you what your heart is after.

Obviously, compliments can be a bit tricky in a language that’s not your native tongue; they’re not even that simple for the native speaker. Effective flattery requires the right phrase for the right person and situation, as well as the right intonation, grammar, and timing.

But don’t let any of that shake you from this useful and interesting topic. In today’s lesson, HebrewPod101 is going to equip you with the best Hebrew compliments to use in a number of different situations. We’ll explain their meaning, break down the parts of each phrase, and show you how to properly employ them in terms of grammar and pronunciation. Without further ado, let’s jump right in and see the top 21 most useful compliments in Hebrew!

We’ll start with perhaps the most common category of Hebrew compliments: those referring to someone’s physical appearance. Of course, you want to be careful to use these compliments with the right person at the right time. Just as in any other culture, complimenting someone—especially of the other sex—on their looks can certainly be taken as offensive if used in an inappropriate or unwelcome way. So just be sure to think before you go ahead and try these out!

ממש יָפֶה/יָפָה/יפים/יפות לְךָ/לָךְ. 1

This is a rather general one, which you can use in any number of situations. We’re simply telling someone that something looks nice on them, whether that something is a shirt, a car, or a smile. Note that we need to pick the correct gender for both the object we’re describing as nice, and the person we’re talking to. We also have to make sure we use either the singular or plural form of “nice,” depending on what it is we’re describing.

As it appears above, this compliment in Hebrew omits not only the noun, but also any determiners. Thus, if we use it as a standalone, it should be clear what we’re referring to. For example, we could use this compliment as-is if someone is showing us something new they’ve just purchased. However, we can also specify what we’re referring to using the same phrase and adding more information, as follows.

אהבתי את ה______ שֶׁלְּךָ/שֶׁלָּךְ. .3

Ahavti et ha-_______ shelkha/shelakh.
“I love your _______.”

Note that this one actually uses the past form of the verb “to love” in Hebrew for emphasis. This phrase is simply an alternative to the two presented above, and can be used to give a compliment on just about anything we think suits someone. It should be added that we can use it not only for physical appearance, but for other things as well (such as ideas or talents). Here’s an example:

יש לְךָ/לָךְ ______ יָפֶה/יָפָה/יפים/יפות. .4

This one, again, is fairly generic, and can be used to describe anything we find nice in or on a person. Note the need to choose the right form, either masculine or feminine, plural or singular, of the adjective “nice.” Here’s an example:

ה-_____ ההוא/ההיא/האלה תפור/תפורה/תפורים/תפורות עָלֶיךָ/עָלַיִךְ. .6

This one is a colorful way of saying that something fits or suits someone perfectly. Literally, we’re saying that whatever we’re complimenting looks custom-tailored to them. This is something like the English expression, “It fits you like a glove.” Note that this expression isn’t limited to articles of clothing that are actually sewn. For instance, we could use it for a profession, as in this example:

אני מת/מתה על ה_____ שֶׁלְּךָ/שֶׁלָּךְ! .7

For whatever reasons, better or worse, modern Hebrew speakers tend to use the verb “to die” for hyperbolic expressions. In this case, when we really want to give someone a strong compliment, we can say that we’re dying over whatever it is we wish to compliment. Reserve this compliment for casual situations, as it’s highly informal. Here’s an example:

2. Complimenting Someone’s Work or Words

Another common category of compliments are those about someone’s work or words. We may often find ourselves admiring another’s performance or expression, but are unsure of how to aptly express our admiration. The following list of compliments will help us congratulate a friend or coworker on a job well done or a phrase well turned. Let’s have a look at some example compliments in Hebrew.

עבודה יפה! .1

Avodah yafah!
“Nice work/job!”

This one is fairly self-explanatory. We can use this compliment to remark on any task, project, or action that meets with our approval. Here are a couple of examples:

יוצא/יוצאת/יוצאים/יוצאות מן הכלל .3

Yotzeh/yotzet/yotzim/yotzot min ha-klal
“Outstanding”

Again, this is a general compliment that we can use for anything that impresses us. Note that we need to use either masculine or feminine, plural or singular, for the verb. While in English, “outstanding” is often considered a military-style compliment, in Hebrew, it’s a very common phrase to use. Here are some examples:

איזה יופי! .5

Eyzeh yofi!
“That’s great!” / “Way to go!” [Literally: “How nice!”]

This one is somewhat of a catchall, as it can be used to express admiration for just about anything. It’s commonly used, among other applications, to congratulate someone on an accomplishment or a job well done. Note that יופי (yofi) is the nominal (noun) form of the adjective יפה (yafeh), meaning “nice,” which we’ve seen multiple times here.

יפה אָמַרְתָּ/אָמַרְתְּ! .6

Yafeh amarta/amart!
“Well put!” / “Well said!”

This compliment refers not to what someone has done, but rather to what they have said. Specifically, we use this when we wish to compliment someone on how he or she has expressed himself or herself. On that note, make sure to use the right verb conjugation based on the gender of the person you’re speaking to.

דִּבַּרְתָּ/דִּבַּרְתְּ יפה! .7

Dibarta/dibart yafeh!
“Nicely put/said!”

This compliment is an alternative to the one above. Again, we’re complimenting someone on something well said rather than well done. Note that here, too, we need to use the right verb form (masculine or feminine), depending on the speaker.

The final category of common Hebrew compliments we’re going to look at is that of phrases for complimenting someone’s skills or abilities. This is quite a broad category, but we’ll practice some of the more frequently used compliments of this sort.

איזה מוכשר/מוכשרת אתה/את! .1

Eyzeh mukhshar/mukhsheret atah/at!
“How talented you are!”

This compliment is fairly self-explanatory, and can be used to compliment someone’s skills in just about any realm. As in many of our phrases, be sure to use the proper gender for both the adjective and the pronoun.

יש לְךָ/לָךְ גישה חיובית! .4

יש לְךָ/לָךְ את מגע הזהב. .5

אתה/את איש/אשת אשכולות. .6

Ata/at ish/eshet eshkolot.
“You’re a jack-of-all-trades.”

אתה/את מקצוען/מקצוענית. .7

Ata/at miktzo’an/miktzo’anit.
“You’re a pro.”

4. How to Make Your Compliments Sound More Sincere

As in any other language or culture, for compliments in Hebrew to be effective, it’s important to deliver them with sincerity. Keep in mind that, by and large, Israelis are fairly keen readers of intonation and body language, as these are both used extensively in moderating the character of interpersonal communication in Israeli society. So, here are a few tips to help make your compliments sound more sincere in Hebrew.

1. Make eye contact when giving a compliment, but don’t stare the other person down. This one is self-explanatory.

2. Don’t exaggerate your compliments. Honesty is the best way to sound sincere, so it’s always wise to pick an appropriate compliment rather than to heap on the praise where you don’t actually feel it’s deserved. Israelis are good at picking up on false flattery.

3. Don’t assume anything. This goes hand-in-hand with the previous tip. Compliment based on what you know or perceive, rather than doing guesswork.

4. It’s generally good practice to be specific in your compliment. This is a good way to show the recipient that you’re paying attention to him or her specifically, rather than just looking for brownie points.

5. Be prepared to back your compliment up with an example or details. Israelis may sometimes surprise you with a cross-examination of your compliment. Again, be sure it’s based in reality so that you can support it if asked why you complimented the person the way you did.

5. What to Expect After Giving Compliments

While the exchange of compliments isn’t radically different between Hebrew- and English-speaking cultures, there are some things to keep in mind in terms of your expectations when giving an Israeli a compliment. Knowing what to expect can help you make better judgements about when (and when not) to give compliments, and to whom. Further, you’ll know which compliments to give (or not give). Here are a few key points on what to expect after giving Hebrew compliments:

1. Don’t expect much more than a thank you. While Israelis may receive your compliment warmly, they’re just as likely to accept it with a mere thanks. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they didn’t appreciate your compliment.

2. In light of the same, commit to your compliment without expecting to be thanked gushingly or complimented in return. You very well may not get either of these. In cases like this, don’t repeat the compliment, fishing for a more effusive response.

3. You may, in fact, simply be ignored when giving a compliment, but don’t take it too hard. Just keep the conversation moving along, rather than dwelling on the silence or waiting for a response that isn’t going to come. You obviously want to avoid awkward silences.

4. Some Israelis might be surprisingly affirmative of a compliment, without demonstrating much humility. For instance, they might respond to a compliment by saying they know it to be true.

5. It’s best not to exaggerate or repeat your compliment, which may lead to incredulity on the part of the recipient. Say what you wish to say and leave it at that. This will lend you more credibility and will be more appreciated than long-windedness.

6. HebrewPod101 Compliments You on Your Learning!

We hope you’ve enjoyed this lesson on Hebrew compliments, and that you feel like you’ve expanded your language toolkit with these handy phrases and expressions. Flattery may not get you everywhere, but it can often go a long way toward establishing a positive tone with another person. After all, who doesn’t enjoy being complimented, especially when the flattery is sincere?

From our end, we genuinely commend your continued efforts to learn with us here at HebrewPod101.com. You are doing a great job! Keep up the good work!

And, as always, feel free to get in touch with us and let us know if you need clarification or further examples, or if there’s something you feel we failed to mention in this lesson.

Did you know that the word for a native Israeli is צבר (tzabar), often referred to as Sabra in English? This is a term which refers to the prickly pear, the fruit of a desert cactus. This is because, much like this same fruit, Israelis are known for being prickly on the outside and sweet on the inside.

In other words, while we’re quite rough around the edges, we have hearts of gold! One of the main ways this prickliness or roughness takes expression in our culture is in the piquant language we use to express anger in Hebrew.

Indeed, Israelis are well-known for having short—and even explosive—tempers when rubbed the wrong way. And the truth is that the Middle East in general is a place where arguments are vocal and colorful affairs. You’ll often see or overhear such arguments out in the street, and at a pitch that projects around the corner and up the street. Therefore, it’s no surprise that there should be such a rich lexicon of words and phrases to express anger, frustration, derision, and disdain.

In light of all this, it’s a good idea to arm yourself with the proper linguistic defenses should you find yourself being cut off in traffic, getting ripped off in the marketplace, or being shoved or elbowed as you try to board the bus. Not only can these words and phrases make it clear you mean business and are no easy prey (which tourists are often seen as in Israel, as elsewhere in the world), but they provide a colorful way to spice up your Hebrew and have some fun along the way!

In this article, you’ll learn how to let others know that you’re angry in Hebrew—and how to hold your own in a heated argument. Let’s get started.

1. Angry Imperatives

As you probably already know, Hebrew is an extremely economical and direct language. And there’s nothing more economical and direct than Hebrew imperatives, which are generally just one or two syllables. This makes them perfect for expressing anger, and indeed, there’s no small number of situations where we use them for this purpose. Let’s have a look at some of the most common examples. But first, remember to conjugate your verbs depending on whom you’re speaking to.

סתוםStom
“Shut up.”

Be careful using this one, as these can definitely be considered fighting words. Just like in English, you wouldn’t tell just anyone to shut up; you want to be cautious when and with whom you use this phrase. Here’s an example of when you might use it, in this case with a less than scrupulous taxi driver:

2. Angry Warnings

Hebrew is definitely a great language for warning people in! This is true whether we’re talking about a health advisory or warning someone not to get in your face. Of course, in this lesson, we’re interested in the latter. So let’s have a look at some of the most common ways to warn someone to back off.

3. Rhetorical Questions to Express Anger

Another common way to express that you’re angry in Hebrew, apart from imperatives and warnings, is through rhetorical questions. Obviously, you need to make sure to use the correct intonation, just as you would in English, to make it clear you’re using these rhetorically. Here are some choice examples of rhetorical questions to express anger in Hebrew.

*Note that this last expression, though we often use it jokingly or half-seriously among friends, can be highly offensive if used with a stranger. So be careful whom you say this to!

4. Expressions to Describe Anger

Lastly, let’s take a look at what might certainly be considered a healthier alternative to venting your anger in Hebrew through direct imperatives, bold warnings, or provocative rhetorical questions. Let’s learn about expressing how you feel. In this case, following our theme, we’re talking about feelings of anger, frustration, and disappointment. Below are some ways we can tell another person how we’re feeling without necessarily letting our emotions get the best of us.

5. Bonus: The Top Five Ways to Make an Israeli Angry

Just for fun, while we’re on the subject of anger, let’s take a look at the top five ways to really get an Israeli heated. Mind you, this really is just for fun; we don’t recommend trying these out on your next trip to Tel Aviv. Remember that Israeli is a high-tension society, so always be careful about taking a joke too far! Without further ado, here are the top five ways to make an Israeli angry:

1. Driving a vehicle on Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. It’s customary in Israel for the streets to be nearly empty of traffic out of respect for the tradition, even though many (if not most) Israelis are not particularly religious. Therefore, you don’t want to be the only one on the road on this day.

However, feel free to hop on a bike or slap on a pair of rollerblades and take to the streets. This is a common phenomenon to see in Israel on Yom Kippur, as Israelis take advantage of the lack of traffic to do some relaxing R&R.

2. Ignoring the commemoration sirens

Twice a year, on Holocaust Memorial Day and on the Day of Commemoration for Fallen Heroes and Terror Victims, there is a minute-long siren that’s sounded throughout Israel. For this minute, people stand still and in silence out of respect for the memories of those people. All traffic pulls to a halt and people exit their vehicles to stand and commemorate the dead. Out of respect, do not violate this moment or you could find yourself the victim of some serious anger from the Israelis around you.

3. Asking for ketchup on your falafel or shawarma

This is a surefire way to get the chef heated at you—and remember, he’s standing over boiling oil already! Falafel and shawarma are eaten with tahini, amba (a mango sauce), and spicy sauce. Ketchup in Israel is for fries!

4. Eating pita and hummus with a fork and knife

If you want to keep from irking the Israelis around you, note the correct way to eat these classic Israeli dishes. You rip a small piece of pita bread and use it to scoop up a bit of hummus, and then put it right in your mouth. No utensils are necessary. This is part of the communal table etiquette in Israel, so go ahead and use your hands!

5. Joking about security matters

Remember that Israel is in a constant state of existential war. We’ve been through multiple wars, even more smaller-scale operations, and are under threat of terrorist attack daily. Therefore, we don’t generally take kindly to jokes about bombs, attacks, and so on.

You’ll notice, as well, a high presence of military and police personnel wherever you go in Israel. You’ll also be subject to security checks when entering most public places. This is just part of normal life for us. Don’t take it personally or get stressed about it. Just let the security officers do their jobs and keep us all safe. After all, Israeli security forces are the best in the world!

6. Learn Hebrew with HebrewPod101, No Anger Necessary

Now that we’ve looked at a bunch of ways to express anger and frustration in Hebrew, remember that learning Hebrew is nothing to get upset over! While it’s pretty fun to practice these phrases, imagining how we’ll defend ourselves against aggressive drivers and predatory marketplace vendors, learning a language should always be a positive experience.

In the meantime, drop us a comment and let us know which of these angry phrases is your favorite! Are there any angry phrases we didn’t cover that you want to know? Are you ready to be angry in Hebrew? We look forward to hearing from you.

What is the most defining moment you will face this year? From memories that you immortalize in a million photographs, to days you never wish to remember, one thing’s for certain: big life events change you. The great poet, Bukowski, said, “We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well, that death will tremble to take us.” The older I get, the more I agree with him!

Talking about significant events in our lives is part of every person’s journey, regardless of creed or culture. If you’re planning to stay in Israel for more than a quick visit, you’re sure to need at least a few ‘life events’ phrases that you can use. After all, many of these are shared experiences, and it’s generally expected that we will show up with good manners and warm wishes.

1. Life Events

Do you know how to say “Happy New Year” in Hebrew? Well, the New Year is a pretty big deal that the whole world is in on! We celebrate until midnight, make mindful resolutions, and fill the night sky with the same happy words in hundreds of languages. No doubt, then, that you’ll want to know how to say it like a local!

Big life events are not all about fun times, though. Real life happens even when you’re traveling, and certain terminology will be very helpful to know. From talking about your new job to wishing your neighbors “Merry Christmas” in Hebrew, here at HebrewPod101, we’ve put together just the right vocabulary and phrases for you.

1- Birthday – יום הולדת (yom huledet)

If you’re like me, any excuse to bring out a pen and scribble a note is a good one. When there’s a birthday, even better: hello, handwriting!

Your Israeli friend will love hearing you wish them a “Happy birthday” in Hebrew, but how much more will they appreciate a thoughtful written message? Whether you write it on their Facebook wall or buy a cute card, your effort in Hebrew is sure to get them smiling! Write it like this:

ברכות ליום הולדתך (berakhot leyom huladetkha)

Now that you know the words, I challenge you to put them to music and sing your own “Happy birthday” song in Hebrew! It’s not impossible to figure out even more lyrics, once you start discovering the language from scratch.

2- Buy – קנה (kanah)

If there’s a special occasion, you might want to buy somebody a gift. As long as you’ve checked out Hebrew etiquette on gift-giving (do a Google search for this!), it will be a lovely gesture. If you’re not sure what to buy, how about the awesome and universally-appealing gift of language? That’s a gift that won’t stop giving!

3- Retire – לפרוש (lif’rosh)

If you’re planning to expand your mind and retire in Israel, you can use this word to tell people why you seem to be on a perpetual vacation!

Retirement is also a great time to learn a new language, don’t you think? And you don’t have to do it alone! These days it’s possible to connect to a vibrant learning community at the click of a button. The added benefit of a Daily Dose of Language is that it keeps your brain cells alive and curious about the world. After all, it’s never too late to realize those long-ignored dreams of traveling the globe…

4- Graduation – סיום (siyum)

When attending a graduation ceremony in Israel, be prepared for a lot of formal language! It will be a great opportunity to listen carefully and see if you can pick up differences from the everyday Hebrew you hear.

5- Promotion – קידום (kidum)

Next to vacation time, receiving a promotion is the one career highlight almost everyone looks forward to. And why wouldn’t you? Sure, it means more responsibility, but it also means more money and benefits and – the part I love most – a change of scenery! Even something as simple as looking out a new office window would boost my mood.

6- Anniversary – יום השנה (yom hashana)

Some anniversaries we anticipate with excitement, others with apprehension. They are days marking significant events in our lives that can be shared with just one person, or with a whole nation. Whether it’s a special day for you and a loved one, or for someone else you know, this word is crucial to know if you want to wish them a happy anniversary in Hebrew.

7- Funeral – הלוויה (halvaya)

We tend to be uncomfortable talking about funerals in the west, but it’s an important conversation for families to have. Around the world, there are many different customs and rituals for saying goodbye to deceased loved ones – some vastly different to our own. When traveling in Israel, if you happen to find yourself the unwitting observer of a funeral, take a quiet moment to appreciate the cultural ethos; even this can be an enriching experience for you.

8- Travel – לטייל (letayel)

Travel – my favorite thing to do! Everything about the experience is thrilling and the best cure for boredom, depression, and uncertainty about your future. You will surely be forever changed, fellow traveler! But you already know this, don’t you? Well, now that you’re on the road to total Hebrew immersion, I hope you’ve downloaded our IOS apps and have your Nook Book handy to keep yourself entertained on those long bus rides.

9- Graduate – לסיים (lesayem)

If you have yet to graduate from university, will you be job-hunting in Israel afterward? Forward-looking companies sometimes recruit talented students who are still in their final year. Of course, you could also do your final year abroad as an international student – an amazing experience if you’d love to be intellectually challenged and make a rainbow of foreign friends!

10- Wedding – חתונה (kha’tuna)

One of the most-loved traditions that humans have thought up, which you’ll encounter anywhere in the world, is a wedding. With all that romance in the air and months spent on preparations, a wedding is typically a feel-good affair. Two people pledge their eternal love to each other, ladies cry, single men look around for potential partners, and everybody has a happy day of merrymaking.

Ah, but how diverse we are in our expression of love! You will find more wedding traditions around the world than you can possibly imagine. From reciting love quotes to marrying a tree, the options leave no excuse to be boring!

11- Move – עבר (avar)

I love Israel, but I’m a nomad and tend to move around a lot, even within one country. What are the biggest emotions you typically feel when moving house? The experts say moving is a highly stressful event, but I think that depends on the circumstances. Transitional periods in our lives are physically and mentally demanding, but changing your environment is also an exciting adventure that promises new tomorrows!

12- Be born – נולד (nolad)

I was not born in 1993, nor was I born in Asia. I was born in the same year as Aishwarya Rai, Akon, and Monica Lewinsky, and on the same continent as Freddy Mercury. When and where were you born? More importantly – can you say it in Hebrew?

13- Get a job – למצוא עבודה (lim’tso avoda)

The thought of looking for a job in a new country can be daunting, but English speakers are in great demand in Israel – you just have to do some research, make a few friends and get out there! Also, arming yourself with a few Hebrew introductions that you can both say and write will give you a confidence boost. For example, can you write your name in Hebrew?

14- Die – למות (lamut)

Death is a universal experience and the final curtain on all other life events. How important is it, then, to fully live before we die? If all you have is a passport, a bucket list, and a willingness to learn some lingo, you can manifest those dreams!

15- Home – בית (bayit)

If home is where the heart is, then my home is on a jungle island completely surrounded by the turquoise ocean. Right now, though, home is an isolation room with a view of half a dry palm tree and a tangle of telephone wires.

If you’re traveling to Israel for an extended stay, you’ll soon be moving into a new home quite unlike anything you’ve experienced before!

16- Job – עבודה (avoda)

What job do you do? Does it allow you much time for travel, or for working on this fascinating language that has (so rightfully) grabbed your attention? Whatever your job, you are no doubt contributing to society in a unique way. If you’re doing what you love, you’re already on the road to your dream. If not, just remember that every single task is one more skill to add to your arsenal. With that attitude, your dream job is coming!

17- Birth – לידה (leida)

If you’re lucky enough to be invited to see a friend’s baby just after they are born, you’ll have all my respect and all my envy. There is nothing cuter! Depending on which part of the country you’re in, you may find yourself bearing witness to some pretty unexpected birth customs. Enjoy this privilege!

18- Engaged – התארס (hit’ares)

EE Cummings said, “Lovers alone wear sunlight,” and I think that’s most true at the moment she says “yes.” Getting engaged is something young girls dream of with stars in their eyes, and it truly is a magical experience – from the proposal, to wearing an engagement ring, to the big reveal!

In the world of Instagram, there’s no end to the antics as imaginative couples try more and more outrageous ways to share their engagement with the world. I love an airport flashmob, myself, but I’d rather be proposed to on a secluded beach – salt, sand, and all!

Engagement customs around the world vary greatly, and Israel is no exception when it comes to interesting traditions. Learning their unique romantic ways will inspire you for when your turn comes.

19- Marry – התחתן (hit’khaten)

The one you marry will be the gem on a shore full of pebbles. They will be the one who truly mirrors your affection, shares your visions for the future, and wants all of you – the good, the bad and the inexplicable.

From thinking up a one-of-a-kind wedding, to having children, to growing old together, finding a twin flame to share life with is quite an accomplishment! Speaking of which…

2. Marriage Proposal Lines

Ah, that heart-stopping moment when your true love gets down on one knee to ask for your hand in marriage, breathlessly hoping that you’ll say “Yes!” If you haven’t experienced that – well, it feels pretty darn good, is all I can say! If you’re the one doing the asking, though, you’ve probably had weeks of insomnia agonizing over the perfect time, location and words to use.

How much more care should be taken if your love is from a different culture to yours? Well, by now you know her so well, that most of it should be easy to figure out. As long as you’ve considered her personal commitment to tradition, all you really need is a few words from the heart. Are you brave enough to say them in Hebrew?

3. Talking About Age

Part of the wonder of learning a new language is having the ability to strike up simple conversations with strangers. Asking about age in this context feels natural, as your intention is to practice friendly phrases – just be mindful of their point of view!

When I was 22, I loved being asked my age. Nowadays, if someone asks, I say, “Well, I’ve just started my fifth cat life.” Let them ponder that for a while.

In Israel, it’s generally not desirable to ask an older woman her age for no good reason, but chatting about age with your peers is perfectly normal. Besides, you have to mention your birthday if you want to be thrown a birthday party!

4. Conclusion

Well, there you have it! With so many great new Hebrew phrases to wish people with, can you think of someone who has a big event coming up? If you want to get even more creative, HebrewPod101 has much to inspire you with – come and check it out! Here’s just some of what we have on offer at HebrewPod101:

Free Resources: Sharing is caring, and for this reason, we share many free resources with our students. For instance, start learning Hebrew with our basic online course by creating a lifetime account – for free! Also get free daily and iTunes lessons, free eBooks, free mobile apps, and free access to our blog and online community. Or how about free Vocabulary Lists? The Hebrew dictionary is for exclusive use by our students, also for free. There’s so much to love about HebrewPod101…!

Innovative Learning Tools and Apps: We make it our priority to offer you the best learning tools! These include apps for iPhone, iPad, Android and Mac OSX; eBooks for Kindle, Nook, and iPad; audiobooks; Roku TV and so many more. This means that we took diverse lifestyles into account when we developed our courses, so you can learn anywhere, anytime on a device of your choice. How innovative!

Live Hosts and One-on-One Learning: Knowledgeable, energetic hosts present recorded video lessons, and are available for live teaching experiences if you upgrade. This means that in the videos, you get to watch them pronounce those tongue-twisters, as if you’re learning live! Add octane to your learning by upgrading to Premium Plus, and learn two times faster. You can have your very own Hebrew teacher always with you, ensuring that you learn what you need, when you need to – what a wonderful opportunity to master a new language in record time!

Start Where You Are: You don’t know a single Hebrew word? Not to worry, we’ve absolutely got this. Simply enroll in our Absolute Beginner Pathway and start speaking from Lesson 1! As your learning progresses, you can enroll in other pathways to match your Hebrew level, at your own pace, in your own time, in your own place!

Learning a new language can only enrich your life, and could even open doors towards great opportunities! So don’t wonder if you’ll regret enrolling in HebrewPod101. It’s the most fun, easy way to learn Hebrew.

Did you know that every minute of the day, one billion tons of rain falls on the earth? Hard to believe, considering the climate crisis! Of course, all that rain is not equally shared across the planet.

So, would you mention this fascinating fact to your new Israeli acquaintance? Well, small talk about local weather is actually a great conversation-starter. Everyone cares about the weather and you’re sure to hear a few interesting opinions! Seasons can be quite unpredictable these days and nobody knows the peculiarities of a region better than the locals.

HebrewPod101 will equip you with all the weather vocabulary you need to plan your next adventure. The weather can even be an important discussion that influences your adventure plans. After all, you wouldn’t want to get caught on an inflatable boat with a two-horsepower motor in Hurricane Horrendous!

1. Talking about the weather in Israel

If you’re like me, your day’s activity plan is likely to begin with a strong local coffee and a chat about what the sky is doing. After all, being prepared could be the difference between an amazing day and a miserable one! Luckily, it’s not difficult to comment on Israeli weather – just start with these simple words and phrases.

1- Rain – גשם (geshem)

Watercolor artists, take out your paints! You might not be able to venture out on foot today, but just embrace the rain as part of your Israeli experience. When the rain stops, the air will be clean and colours vibrant.

If you’re visiting Israel in the wet season, it’s important to stay informed when heavy rain sets in, so keep an eye on the weather radar. Avoid river activities and rather spend this time making a home-cooked meal and brushing up on your Hebrew weather words.

6- Flood – הצפה (hatzafah)

If you do get caught in a flood, your destination should no longer be ‘home’, but the nearest high ground.

Not all countries experience typhoons, but you need to know when to prepare for one! It will be very scary if you’ve never experienced one before. Your local neighbours are the best people to advise you on where to take shelter, as they’ve been doing it for generations. Be sure to get the low-down at the first sign of rough weather!

When planning an outdoor activity, especially on a body of water, always be prepared for a change in the weather. Ask your hotel receptionist or neighbour where you can get a reliable daily weather report, and don’t forget your sweater!

Sunny weather is the dream when traveling in Israel! Wake up early, pack the hats and sunblock and go and experience the terrain, sights and beautiful spots. You’ll be rewarded with happy vibes all around.

10- A rainy day – יום גשום (yom gashum)

Remember when you said you’d save the Hebrew podcasts for a rainy day? Now’s that day!

11- Scenic rainbow – נוף קשת בענן (nof keshet be-anan)

The best part about the rain is that you can look forward to your first rainbow in Israel. There’s magic in that!

Lightning is one of the most fascinating weather phenomena you can witness without really being in danger – at least if you’re sensible and stay indoors! Did you know that lightning strikes the earth 40-50 times per second? Fortunately, not all countries experience heavy electric storms!

Asking a local what the outside temperature will be is another useful question for planning your day. It’s easy if you know the Hebrew term for ‘degrees Celsius’.

14- Fahrenheit – פרנהייט (farenhait)

Although the Fahrenheit system has been replaced by Celsius in almost all countries, it’s still used in the US and a few other places. Learn this phrase in Hebrew in case one of your companions develops a raging fever.

15- Today the sky is clear – בהיר (bahir)

Clear skies mean you’ll probably want to get the camera out and capture some nature shots – not to mention the great sunsets you’ll have later on. Twilight can lend an especially magical quality to a landscape on a clear sky day, when the light is not filtered through clouds.

16- Light drizzle – טפטוף קל (tiftuf kal)

Days when it’s drizzling are perfect for taking in the cultural offerings of Israel. You could go to the mall and watch a Israeli film, visit museums and art galleries, explore indoor markets or even find the nearest climbing wall. Bring an umbrella!

17- Temperature – טמפרטורה (temperatura)

Because of the coronavirus, many airports are conducting temperature screening on passengers. Don’t worry though – it’s just a precaution. Your temperature might be taken with a no-touch thermometer, which measures infrared energy coming off the body.

18- Humid – לח (lach)

I love humid days, but then I’m also a water baby and I think the two go
together like summer and rain. Find a pool or a stream to cool off in – preferably in the shade!

Wind doesn’t change the ambient temperature of the air, it just changes your body temperature, so the air will feel colder to you than it actually is. Not all your Israeli friends will know that, though, so learn this Hebrew phrase to sound really smart!

If you’re near a lake, frozen water is good news! Forgot your ice skates? Don’t despair – find out where you can hire some. Be cautious, though: the ice needs to be at least four inches thick for safe skating. Personally, I just slide around on frozen lakes in my boots!

31- Waiting to clear up – מחכה שיתבהר (mekhake she`yitbaher)

Waiting for the weather to clear up so you can go exploring is frustrating, let’s be honest. That’s why you should always travel with two things: a scintillating novel and your Hebrew Nook Book.

You could try this phrase out on the hotel’s helpful cleaning staff, or fix the problem yourself. Just add a scoop or two of salt to a spray bottle of water – that should work!

38- Large hailstones – גושי ברד גדולים (gu’shei ba’rad g’dolim)

As a kid, I found hail crazy exciting. Not so much now – especially if I’m on the road and large hailstones start pummeling my windscreen!

39- Rolling thunder – רעם מתגלגל (ra’am mitgal’gel)

The rumble of rolling thunder is that low-volume, ominous background sound that goes on for some time. It’s strangely exciting if you’re safely in your hotel room; it could either suddenly clear up, or escalate to a storm.

40- Sleet – גשם-שלג (geshem-sheleg)

Sleet is tiny hard pieces of ice made from a mixture of rain and melted snow that froze. It can be messy, but doesn’t cause major damage the way hail does. Pretty cool to know this word in Hebrew!

2. Words for the first day of spring

You know the feeling: your heart skips a beat when you wake up and spring has sprung! Spring will reward you with new blossoms everywhere, birdsong in the air, kittens being born in the neighborhood and lovely views when you hit the trails. Pack a picnic and ask a new Israeli friend to show you the more natural sights. Don’t forget a light sweater and a big smile. This is the perfect time to practice some Hebrew spring words!

3. Do You Know the Essential Summer Vocabulary?

Summer! Who doesn’t love that word? It conjures up images of blue skies, tan skin, vacations at the beach and cruising down the coast in an Alfa Romeo, sunglasses on and the breeze in your hair. Of course, in Israel there are many ways to enjoy the summer – it all depends on what you love to do. One thing’s for sure: you will have opportunities to make friends, go on picnics, sample delicious local ice-cream and maybe even learn to sing some Hebrew songs. It’s up to you! Sail into Israeli summer with this summer vocab list, and you’ll blend in with ease.

4. Must-Know Autumn vocabulary

Victoria Ericksen said, “If a year was tucked inside of a clock, then autumn would be the magic hour,” and I agree. Who can resist the beauty of fall foliage coloring the Israeli landscape? Birds prepare to migrate; travelers prepare to arrive for the best weather in Israel.

The autumnal equinox marks the moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator, making day and night almost equal in length. The cool thing about this event is that the moon gets really bright – the ‘harvest moon’, as it’s traditionally known.

So, as much as the change of season brings more windy and rainy days, it also brings celebration. Whether you honor Thanksgiving, Halloween or the Moon Festival, take some time to color your vocabulary with these Hebrew autumn words.

5. Winter

Winter is the time the natural world slows down to rest and regroup. I’m a summer girl, but there are fabulous things about winter that I really look forward to. For one, it’s the only season I get to accessorize with my gorgeous winter gloves and snug down coat!

Then, of course, there’s ice skating, holiday decorations and bonfires. As John Steinbeck said, “What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?” Get ready for the cold season with our list of essential Winter words!

6. HebrewPod101 can prepare you for any season.

Now that you know how to inquire and comment on the weather in Israel, you
can confidently plan your weather-ready travel itinerary. How about this for an idea: the next
time you’re sitting in a Israeli street café, try asking someone local this question:

“Do you think the weather will stay like this for a few days?” If you loved learning these cool Hebrew weather phrases with us, why not take it a step further and add to your repertoire? HebrewPod101 is here to help!

Worldwide, most countries use the Gregorian calendar. Some just work on the same framework, meaning that time is divided into units based on the earth’s movement around the sun – the “solar calendar”. Other calendars keep time by observing the moon’s movements, a combination of the moon and the sun’s movements, and seasons.

Through HebrewPod101, you can learn all about this and so much more! Our themed, culturally relevant lessons are skillfully designed so you can do your planning perfectly for a holiday or a date.

Having a good plan for a visit or a trip is like studying well for an exam. You’re just so much better prepared! For that, you could well need specific phrases to plan around appointments and such, especially on business trips. Make sure to use the charts we provide here with the days of the week in Hebrew, as well as the months in Hebrew to navigate your way as you plan. Great resources!

1. Why Will It Help To Know How To Talk About Dates in Hebrew?

Well, that’s not a difficult question to answer. No matter why you’re travelling, it would be best to at least know the names of days and months in Hebrew. You don’t want to miss your flight or an appointment because you confused “יום שישי” (“yom shishi,” Friday) with “יום שבת” (“yom shabbat,” Saturday)! Or maybe you planned a holiday for “יולי” (“yuli,” July), but you booked a flight for “יוני” (“yuni,” June) by accident!

Avoid this confusion by learning the Hebrew calendar before you leave.

Now, as promised, the 15 phrases to help you make and discuss plans.

2. Talking About your Plans

Perhaps you’re working in Israel, or maybe you’re enjoying a prolonged holiday. Fabulous! Memorize these phrases so you can be sure to successfully negotiate meetings, appointments, dates, events, the list goes on!

1. מה אתה עושה בסופ”ש הזה?

Mah atah ose ba-sofash haze?
“What are you doing this weekend?”

This question is usually a preamble to inviting someone somewhere. Given that it’s over the weekend, it probably means a casual get-together or another social event. (But not necessarily! A manager or boss could also ask this for entirely different reasons.)

It’s a handy phrase to know when you’ve made Israeli or expat friends in the country. Or, be the one doing the inviting. Then train your ear to learn the following phrases so you can understand the response.

2. אני נוסע בסוף השבוע הזה.

Ani nose’a be’sof ha’shavua.
“I am traveling this weekend.”

This could be a reply if you’re not available because you’re doing other fun stuff.

No matter why you are visiting Israel, do take the time to explore the country! It’s beautiful and it has so many wonderful, interesting spots ready to be visited.

3. אני מתכוון להישאר בבית.

Ani mitkaven lehisha’er ba’bayit.
“I am planning to stay at home.”

Maybe you feel unwell, but don’t want to give too much information? Or maybe you have work to do? Perhaps you just need some quiet gardening time…it doesn’t matter. This response is polite and honest without oversharing.

It could also be a slightly open-ended response, depending on how you deliver it. Because hey, being home could still mean your plans are flexible, right?

That said – depending on your relationship with the inviter, nuances like these will probably not be so apparent in a foreign culture. So, best to use this excuse for declining an invitation only if you are truly set on staying in.

4. השבוע אני עסוק.

Ha’shavua ani asuk.
“This week I am busy.”

Another polite phrase that gives a reason for declining an invitation but without oversharing details.

Don’t decline too many invitations, though! You don’t want people to think that you’re too busy to hang out with them. They will stop inviting you out, and you know how the saying goes – all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy…! Being social is good for the soul.

5. מחר אני חופשי.

Machar ani chofshi.
“I am free tomorrow.”

Yay! Perhaps you were approached by that person and they asked about your availability for a date. This would be a fine reply. Not too eager, but still indicating that you’re interested.

Or maybe you’re just replying to a colleague or manager’s request for a meeting. Polite, honest and clear.

Alternatively, you’re just busy right now, and plans are not going the way they were…well, planned. Compromise is a lovely thing! And this phrase sounds just like that.

Use it to indicate that you want to accommodate an invitation or the inviter’s plans, despite your current unavailability. Only if you are really free, of course.

6. האם נוכל לשנות את המועד?

Hayim nukhal leshanot et ha’moed?
“Can we reschedule this?”

So, life happened and you are unable to meet obligations or attend a planned meeting. This is a suitable question to ask if you wish to indicate your willingness to still engage with whatever is on the table.

Obviously you should (ideally) not ask to reschedule a party or big meeting! (Unless you’re the boss or it’s your own party, of course.) But if there’s reasonable wiggle room regarding arrangements, then this one’s your question.

7. יהיה לי מספיק זמן בסוף החודש.

Yihiye li maspik zman be’sof ha’chodesh?
“I will have enough time at the end of the month.”

A go-to phrase when events or activities are likely to take up a lot of your time, such as going away for a weekend, spending the day at a local market, or writing your manager’s quarterly report (with 20 flow-charts in Powerpoint) – anything that won’t only take an hour or two.

8. מתי יהיה הזמן המתאים ביותר עבורך?

Matay yihiye ha’zman ha’matyim beyoter avurkha?
“When is the best time that suits you?”

Remember phrase #5? That was a possible reply to this question. Asked by your crush, very possibly! Or, it could be asked by any other person for any other reason, doesn’t matter.

If this is addressed to you, it usually means that the person respects your time and schedule, which is a good thing. It probably also means that their own schedule is flexible, another good thing.

This is also a polite question to ask when a manager or senior colleague wants to meet with you. Let them decide on the time, and be as accommodating as possible. This attitude shows respect for seniority – good for career building. (Within reason, of course. You don’t need to postpone your wedding or your paid-up holiday to Australia because your manager wants to see you.)

9. האם התאריך הזה מתאים לך?

Hayim ha’ta’arikh haze mat’im lekha?
“Is this date OK with you?”

But – if the other party insists that you choose a time for a meeting, appointment, or date etc., then do so! Respond with this nice, somewhat casual question that leaves space for negotiation, but only needs a simple reply.

Suitable for friends, and casual acquaintances and colleagues.

10. האם אתה זמין ביום הזה?

Hayim ata zamin ba’yom haze?
“Are you available on that day?”

This is the a-bit-more-formal version of the previous question. Again, it has room for negotiation, but only needs a simple response – nice and neat!

Maybe this is the go-to question when you’re addressing your seniors at work, or a person much older than you.

11. האם נוכל לעשות זאת בהקדם האפשרי?

Hayim nukhal la’asot zot ba’hekdem ha’efshari?
“Can we do it as soon as possible?”

This question has an urgency to it that should preferably be responded to with the same. A simple reply will be good – yes or no. Less negotiable, this is still polite because it’s a question that gives you a choice.

But stand ready with one of the phrases in this article to help tie down a time and date!

12. אני זמין בכל ערב.

Ani zamin be’khol erev.
“I’m available every evening”

If you’re going to reply with this phrase, context is everything.

– If it’s your manager asking you to put in a bit of overtime, and you are available to – great reply! When deadlines are tight and everybody is stressing, your willingness to go the extra mile can only improve your relationship with your boss.

(Still, no need to be a doormat! If you get asked to work overtime too often, or if everyone else is goofing around while you have to graft, then re-evaluate the situation. And if you feel you’re being exploited a bit, don’t stress! Equip yourself with the diplomatic, yet assertive responses right in this article.)

– If it’s an old friend or longtime significant other asking to hang out – good reply. You know one another and appearances don’t matter any longer.

– If it’s a new crush who just asked when you’d be available for a date – stop. Not such a great reply. Tone down a bit! “Interested but not overly eager” is what you’re going for here.

Refer back to response #5, or use a counter-question, such as #1. Whatever suits you.

But if they – or anyone else – invite you to scale the Himalayas with them, then the next phrase will probably be the only sane response!

14. אנחנו צריכים למצוא תאריך אחר.

This is an assertive statement that should probably not be used with a “My way or the highway” attitude.

That stuff only works in the movies – think sharp-tongued Samuel L. Jackson. Or fierce Kristen Stewart. Yea, they can be scary, so tone down that tone.

Also, be mindful that fickle people who change plans all the time don’t keep friends! Taking others’ needs into consideration, while simultaneously having your way is a delicate art that takes proper cultivation. Use this phrase sparingly – we have better ones here to negotiate with.

Of course, if your planned trip to the dentist falls on the same day as the only Billie Eilish concert close by…well, priorities are priorities. Feel free to call the dentist with this phrase. Or even better, use the next one.

Watch superb recordings of native Hebrew speakers in cool slide-shows – the easy way to practice till you sound just like a native speaker yourself!

Also immediately upon enrollment, you’ll get access to a huge library of free resources! These include extensive, theme-based Vocabulary Lists and a Word of the Day List (For free, hot bargains!) These alone are sure to give your vocab-learning boxing gloves.

You’ll also immediately be able to use an excellent and free Hebrew online dictionary. Necessary for quick, handy translations, no matter where you find yourself.

For the serious learner, there are numerous enrollment upgrades available, one of which offers you a personal, online Israeli host. Allow us to hold your hand and support you in your learning!

Did you know that only some reptiles and birdsdon’t parent their offspring? Except for crocodiles, all reptiles (and one family of bird species called megapodes) hatch from eggs and grow up alone, without any family.

The rest of us need family if we are to survive and thrive – humans and animals alike!

At HebrewPod101, we know how important family is. Therefore, we take care to teach you all the important vocabulary and phrases pertaining to family.

1. Why Is It Important to Know Hebrew Vocabulary about Family?

Well, if you’re serious about studying any new language, then learning about the most important social unit in Israeli culture would be a crucial part of your education.

What is family, though? Strictly speaking, it’s a group of people who live together and are supposed to take care of one another. Some of them are genetically linked.

Family isn’t just about who we’re related to by blood, of course. It’s also one of the main influences in shaping every child’s life.

Family is Important for Children’s Healthy Development

Family is the single most important influence in a child’s life. Children depend on parents and family to protect them and provide for their needs from the day they were born.

Primary caregivers, which usually comprise parents and family, form a child’s first relationships. They are a child’s first teachers and are role models that show kids how to act and experience the world around them.

By nurturing and teaching children during their early years, families play an important role in making sure children are ready to learn when they enter school.

Families Can Take All Shapes and Sizes

However, the way families are put together is by no means standard.

Single-parent and same-gender households have become a new norm the past few decades, and there’s no shame in this. When there is love, connection and proper care, a child can thrive anywhere.

Everyone also knows that sometimes friends can become like family and remain with us for life, because it’s all about human connection.

After all, we share many commonalities simply because we’re human, and we are programmed to connect with one another and belong to a group. This is very important for our well-being and survival.

It’s All About Feeling Connected

As John Northman, a psychologist from Buffalo, NY, told WebMD – feeling connected to others contributes to mental as well as physical health.

He pointed out that when people feel connected, they feel better physically, and they’re also less likely to feel depressed.

Or, if they do feel depressed, they’d be in a better position to get out of it when they feel they are connecting with others. This is because they would be psychologically supported too, Northman said.

There has even been some links drawn between addiction and feeling disconnected from others. According to an article in Psychology Today, research indicates that addiction is not solely a substance disorder, but also affected by people feeling insecurely attached to others.

It showed that securely attached individuals tend to feel comfortable in and enjoy life, while insecurely attached people typically struggle to fit in and connect.

2. Learn a New Culture? Learn its Family Vocab first

So, it’s clear that for most of us, family is our entry point into connection and belonging. This is true of every culture, so in every country, family takes prominence.

For this reason, HebrewPod101 offers culturally-relevant lessons that will equip you well to understand families in Israel.

Here are some of the most important Hebrew vocabulary and quotes about family and parenting!

A) Hebrew Family Vocabulary

Let’s start with the basic vocabulary. Without this collection of words, you’ll have a hard time describing any member of your family at all.

Family Terms

Family
משפחה (mish’pakhah)

Great grandfather
סבא רבא (saba raba)

Mother
אמא (ima)

Grandmother
סבתא (savta)

Father
אב (av)

Grandfather
סבא (saba)

Wife
אישה (isha)

Grandchild
נכד (nekhed)

Husband
בעל (ba’al)

Granddaughter
נכדה (nekhdah)

Parent
הורה (hore)

Grandson
נכד (nekhed)

Child
ילד (yeled)

Aunt
דודה (doda)

Daughter
בת (bat)

Uncle
דוד (dod)

Sister
אחות (akhot)

Niece
אחיינית (akhyanit)

Brother
אח (aħ)

Nephew
אחיין (aħyan)

Younger sister
אחות צעירה (achot tze’ira)

Younger brother
אח צעיר (akh tza’ir)

Older brother
אח גדול (aħ gadol)

Great grandmother
סבתא רבתא (savta rabta)

Cousin
בן דוד (ben dod)

Mother-in-law
חמות (ħamot)

Father-in-law
חם (ħam)

Sister-in-law
גיסה (gisa)

Brother-in-law
גיס (gis)

Partner
בת זוג (bat-zug)

B) Quotes About Family

One of the ways to improve your Hebrew language skills is by memorizing quotes from books, or poems.

Traveling to foreign countries is nearly always an exciting, enriching, and beneficial experience. Yet, some things can be real downers, such as boredom on a lengthy flight to Israel. Really, binge-watching onboard movies can only be interesting for so long! And jet lag – another huge downer. Did you know that jet lag is more severe when you travel from the West to the East?

To beat flight boredom, though, we may have the answer for you at HebrewPod101! Why don’t you take the time to study Hebrew travel phrases? We make this super easy and fun, with great downloadables, like our PDF Cheat Sheets. Quickly memorize these, and impress your Israeli friends or travel guide with your flawless Hebrew!

1. Importance Of Learning Travel Phrases

Impressing Israeli people or your travel partners will be the least of the benefits you reap from learning these helpful phrases. These are greater ones:

1) Eliminate Travel Frustration: First of all, you’ll be able to cut out a good chunk of travel frustration and inconvenience due to language barriers.

Know how to pronounce and use at least the basic Hebrew phrases, and then just look foreign. This should go a long way to help you get by and win you friends, because locals would be more inclined to help someone who took the trouble to learn a smidgen of their language.

2) Emergency Readiness: In case of an emergency, you will be able to get help a lot quicker if you know how to ask for what in Hebrew. Imagine miming to a doctor or nurse that you have a sore ear but that you’re allergic to penicillin. Not so easy, right?

Rather, you should know basic emergency travel phrases, especially if you suffer from a serious condition. Also, information about life-threatening allergies you have should always be on your person in the language of the country you’re visiting.

3) Sight-Seeing Readiness: Hopefully, you also travel to learn more about a country’s culture. Visiting the main tourist sites in Israel will be more interesting if you know how to ask pertinent questions in Hebrew.

In this blog, we’ll also be giving you important travel phrases to consider – from the 13 essential must-have phrases to ones that are just generally useful and good to know.

Let’s get cracking!

2. 13 Must-Have Travel Phrases and Words

Seasoned explorers of multiple countries will tell you that certain words and phrases are absolute must-knows in anyone’s travel vocabulary. Learning from them, we collated some of the most essential ones here for you.

If you know these travel phrases and words by heart in Hebrew, you will be much better equipped for your visit than most of your movie-binging travel mates.

1) תודה / toda (Thank you)

As a tourist, you will be relying on the kindness of strangers to get by. Repay them with a small acknowledgment of their friendly generosity – know how to say “thank you” in Hebrew.

2) אתה מדבר אנגלית? / ata medaber anglit? (Do you speak English?)

While it may be a bit of a cop-out, sometimes you just can’t figure out how to communicate. Maybe you’re blanking on one specific word you need, maybe they’re speaking with a heavy accent, or maybe it’s just really late and you really want to get to the hotel. In that case, try asking if they speak English, and hopefully you can make things a little bit simpler for yourself.

Don’t abuse this phrase, though! If you just try to get by without learning any of the local language, not only will you not learn anything – you’ll be out of luck if they can’t speak English!

Public transit is usually cheaper, if slower, than taking a taxi or rideshare. Use this phrase to see if you can get where you’re going when you’re strapped for cash, or just when you’d like to take the scenic route into town!

Likewise, if you’re the kind of person who can get themselves moving early (or maybe you just have a late flight), maybe you want to take the bus to the airport rather than taking a cab. If that’s the case, you’ll want to be sure you’re actually heading the right way! You wouldn’t want to end up at a lookout point half an hour away, watching your flight take off in the distance, would you?

If you are paying for a cab, you’ll want to know how much. Most legal taxis will have meters, but when dealing with a currency you’re not familiar with, it can be worth asking just to double check that you’re paying the right amount – especially if the currency has cents.

6) הזמנתי מקום / hizmanti makom (I have a reservation)

This one you can expect to use at least a few times throughout your trip, unless you’re the kind of person who travels by the seat of their pants and just goes to whatever hotel, motel, or hostel has rooms available.

If you’re in a country with an expansive commuter rail system (or maybe just a fan of other types of locomotives), you may want to know where the closest station is. Just don’t go looking for pennies on the rails!

9) אני אלרגי לבוטנים / ani alergi lebotnim (I am allergic to peanuts)

Replace “peanuts” with whatever the word for your allergen may be. If your allergy is serious, you probably already know the importance of stating this very clearly in Hebrew.

If the condition is life-threatening, be sure to have a letter or prescription from a medical professional in Hebrew on your person at all times. Consider getting a medical alert bracelet specially made in Hebrew if your stay will be longer than a month or so.

If you dislike eating certain things, or you have certain dietary restrictions, it would be best if you knew how to convey this clearly in Hebrew.

Remember, though, that saying “I’m vegan” or “I’m diabetic” may not be enough to get you what you want. The rules for veganism and vegetarianism are not standard everywhere in the world. Also, your patron might not understand what “diabetic” means. If you have a medical condition, it would be best to research some in-depth vocabulary beforehand.

11) אפשר לקבל מפה? / ef’shar lekabel mapa? (Could I get a map?)

Planning on exploring your destination? Hopelessly lost? Maybe just an amateur cartographer? No matter the reason, this phrase is sure to come in handy. That said, you’re more likely to get use out of it at some sort of tourist or travel center than you are asking a random passerby on the street.

12) כמה זה עולה? / kama ze ole? (How much is this?)

Even if you’re not a big shopper, you’re probably going to need this phrase at some point. Knowing how to count in Hebrew will, of course, help a lot with purchases too.

This is another travel phrase that will smooth your monetary transactions considerably.

3. Good-To-Have Travel Phrases

Unlike the previous phrases, these are not really essential so much as they are useful. Yet, knowing these will still smooth over some bumps on your journey, more than just knowing the crucial phrases would.

If you’re abroad, your normal cellular plans probably won’t have any service, and you’ll be totally reliant on publically available Wi-Fi while you’re out and about. Just ask a server, clerk, or attendant, and they’ll be happy to let you know. Just make sure you’re paying attention when they tell you the password!

What would a trip be with no photos to commemorate the event? Just be sure to ask this of someone who actually looks like they’d be willing to, unless you’re willing to risk being given the cold shoulder or worse. If you’re at a tourist attraction, you’ll find that most people are more than happy to take one for you, so long as you take one of them as well!

Though smoking has gone out of fashion in some places, it’s still popular in others. In the event you’re at a restaurant where smoking is allowed on premises, you can always ask this question to the staff and be seated elsewhere.

5) מים, בבקשה / mayim, bevakasha (Water, please)

If you’ve emptied your glass, or are cutting yourself off after a few drinks, you can always ask for some water. It can be especially useful if the restaurant is busy to the point you need to call out to someone to get service.

To finish off the restaurant related phrases, if you’re eating with friends or really want to impress your colleagues, taking the bill can be a nice treat for them. Of course, this phrase could come in handy as well if you’re eating alone and you’re just impatient to leave.

Now that your trip is over, what better way to cap it all off than a memento, or maybe a gift for friends and family at home? It’ll be nicer to have something recommended by the locals than a cheap bauble from the airport store, so go ahead and ask someone you’ve met what they think.

4. Ways To Improve Communication in a Foreign Country

When traveling, it’s possible to keep communication smooth when you don’t share a language.

Do so by keeping these five tips in mind. They are aimed to help you communicate with those who cannot speak English very well, and also to keep your traveling experience pleasant!

1. Keep your English simple and easy to understand.
If the person you are talking to speaks very little English, use basic verbs, adjectives, and nouns, and keep sentences short.

However, don’t patronize them by talking in pidgin or like you would address a child. Keep your speech simple but natural, and use the correct grammar.

For instance, don’t say: “You come when?”. If you say: “When will you come?”, you will very likely be understood, and may even help someone who wants to improve their English.

2. Ask someone to write information down.
Apply Rule 1 first at your hotel, where the staff is very likely to be able to speak some English. Get them to write down, in their native language, things like: “I would like to go to the airport, please,” “Please take me to the beach,” or “Where is the closest bathroom?”

These written questions are something you can then give to taxi drivers or any other people who are willing and able to help you. This simple step could make your life a lot easier when you travel to a foreign country!

3. Avoid asking leading questions!
If you want the correct information from a non-native English speaker, that is.

When you need directions, for instance, don’t ask: “To get to the bus stop, do I need to turn left here?” If the person didn’t really understand you, you will probably just get a smile and a “Yes,” which could possibly make you miss your bus.

Rather, you should ask: “Where is the bus stop?” If they understand you, you will get the correct directions.

4. Pick the right person to ask for help.
Time to look at people and think a bit about their appearance! A younger person who looks like they might be a student is more likely to have English skills than the friendly but ancient lady smiling at you from a fruit stall.

If you don’t see anyone like that, head into town to the nearest bank, hospital, pharmacy, or hotel. The staff at those places usually speak a bit of English.

5. Know when to quit.
If you stuck to the above rules, but the person you are talking to only stares at you blankly, say thank you and leave. Hanging around hoping someone will suddenly understand and respond is just wasting your time, and may irritate them as well. Go find someone else.

5. HebrewPod101 Can Help You Master Travel Phrases Easily and Effortlessly!

So, reader, have you found this article helpful?

Do you feel comfortable enough to use some essential travel phrases in Hebrew? We’d also love to hear if you think we left out important travel phrases. Leave your suggestions and opinions in the comments!

HebrewPod101 takes the lead with many free learning tools to help you master Hebrew reading and speaking easily, and in fun ways.

Learn even more efficiently with the help of a personal tutor, after taking an assessment test to personalize and tailor your training.

Getting a tutor is also a good option if you meet challenges in your learning, or need to fast-track correct pronunciation and diction. Your very own friendly, Hebrew-speaking teacher will be only a text away on a special app, anywhere, anytime – an excellent option for business persons!

Using a guided learning system that was developed by experts in language and online education, you’ll receive personal feedback and constant support to improve in no time. You’ll also be tasked with weekly assignments in reading, writing, and speaking to hone your Hebrew speaking skills.

Imagine how impressed your Israeli friends or colleagues will be when you display your excellent conversational skills! With HebrewPod101, getting there will be easy and fun.

Especially if you’re planning a prolonged visit to Israel, using the correct Hebrew numbers for counting in Hebrew could be very important! Number systems are the other alphabet in any language. In fact, it is a language all of its own, and it serves a multitude of excellent purposes.

1. A Brief History of Counting and Number Systems

1. The Ishango Bone

The origin of counting, and with it numbers, is not clear to historians. While their art showed that prehistoric man had a concept of numbers, the first indication of a formal system was found to be only between 20,000 and 35,000 thousand years old. This discovery came around 1960 in the form of the so-called Ishango Bone found in the Congo, Central Africa.

The 10cm/4 inch piece of bone was a fibula from a baboon. It showed markings with a neat, unified pattern of small lines – far too organized and sophisticated to have formed spontaneously. Archeologists believe that those thin markings were carved to keep score of, or count, something. The lines seemed to represent a sequence of prime numbers and a series of duplications. Some even called it the first-ever pocket calculator!

2. Mesopotamia and Greece

Yet, evidence suggests that it wasn’t until about 4,000 years ago that humans truly started counting and using numbers. Together with the development of civilization came developed agriculture, and the need for measurement and score-keeping was increased.

For this reason, a formal number system and mathematics were developed first in the Middle East, in what was then called Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia was roughly situated in the area of modern-day Iraq and Kuwait. Allegedly, the system was pretty simple at first. Citizens used tokens that represented a certain number of items, such as one token equalling four goats, etc. This eventually evolved into a system of score marks pressed into clay, which ultimately went on to influence Greek mathematics.

3. Hindu-Arabic Numbers

Zero, meanwhile, was conceived later and elsewhere. Inspired by the Hindu religion, which allows for the concept of infinity and eternity, the Indians invented a symbol to represent nothing. The magic of the zero lies not in itself but its combination with other numbers.

The Indians were also the creators of today’s numbers, which are often referred to as Hindu-Arabic numbers. These comprise one or a combination of just ten symbols or digits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 0.

Europe learned of this numeric system only around 1200 A.D., when they were introduced to it by an Italian mathematician called Leonardo Pisano Bigollo.

Pisano, also known as Fibonacci, is famous for the discovery of a mathematical sequence with countless applications. Yes, math buffs, it’s the well-known Fibonacci sequence, also called the Golden Mean.

The Roman numeric system, which was clumsy next to the newer inventions, gradually lost popularity in the West. It’s from here that they “slowly spread to conquer the world,” as Steven Law puts it.

2. Why is it Important to Learn Hebrew Numbers?

For us at HebrewPod101, this is an easy question to answer! Because we know that numbers are a global unifier.

Counting and numbers have made our lives easier since they were first formulated, even in their most primitive forms.

Without knowing your numbers, you can’t properly communicate about or deal with the following:

1) Your date/time of birth, i.e., your age: This is vital information to be able to give to people like doctors, employers, law enforcement, and so forth.

3) Time: Without knowing how to say numbers, you can’t talk or ask about the time and expect to get a useful response. You don’t want to miss an appointment or schedule something for the wrong hour!

4) Ordering data: Numbers bring order to a mostly random life! Scientists even say that numbers and the way they are organized underpin the whole universe. From using them to count your meals’ calories and the number of likes your posts get on social media, to drawing up intricate data charts and explaining existence itself – numbers are what makes these things possible.

All of the above and more are reasons why it is important to know your numbers if you plan on travelling or becoming a foreign worker abroad, in Israel or anywhere else!

3. Learning Hebrew Numbers

Now, let’s explore the Hebrew number system a bit more! Take a look at this infographic.

Can you make out for yourself what the Hebrew numbers between one (1) and nine (9) look and sound like? Easy, right?

Then, share with us in the comments your native language’s romanized pronunciation of your number system. We’d love to see all the different ways the same numbers can be pronounced!

When you have mastered the first ten numbers, you have basically nailed the most significant part of the number system. Well done! Curious to learn the numbers from eleven upward? No problem! Why not subscribe and enroll with us now to immediately enjoy this lesson, teaching you all about Hebrew numbers eleven (11) to one hundred (100)?

Finally, if you’re curious how the numbers look once you’ve broken one hundred, why not check out our Hebrew number vocabulary page? You can see the numbers we’ve just covered, all the way up to four thousand (4,000). Plus, you can also see the Hebrew words for different numbers used in example sentences, to get an idea of how you can use them in your day-to-day conversations!

4. Why Choose HebrewPod101 to Learn all about Hebrew Numbers?

HebrewPod101, like all Innovative Language Learning ventures, takes the pain out of learning a new language by adding a lot of fun. It’s never an easy thing to learn a new language, but we formulated all your lessons so they’re nicely bite-sized, and geared to keep you motivated!

Also, we created a great number of fantastic tools to help keep struggle and boredom out of the learning process.

Fun and Easy Learning: It’s a commonly-known fact that when learning is made easy and fun, student motivation rises. And as motivation rises, so does the effort to learn – what a beautiful cycle! HebrewPod101’s language learning system is designed to get you speaking from the onset. Learn at your own convenience and pace with our short, effective, and fun audio podcast lessons. Our Learning Center is comprehensive and state-of-the-art, with a vibrant user community to connect with! Our lessons are recorded with native hosts and voice actors, providing a diverse range of dialects in your lessons. You can be confident that native speakers will understand you when speaking Hebrew!

Innovative Learning Tools and Apps: We make it our priority to offer you the best learning tools! These include apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, and Mac OSX; eBooks for Kindle, Nook, and iPad; audiobooks; Roku TV and so many more. This means that we took diverse lifestyles into account when we developed our courses, so you can learn anywhere, anytime on a device of your choice. How innovative!

Free Resources: Sharing is caring, and for this reason, we share many free resources with our students. For instance, start learning Hebrew with our basic online course by creating a lifetime account – for free! Also get free daily and iTunes lessons, free eBooks, free mobile apps, and free access to our blog and online community. Or how about free Vocabulary Lists? The Hebrew dictionary is for exclusive use by our students, also for free. There’s so much to love about HebrewPod101…!

Live Hosts and One-on-One Learning: Knowledgeable, energetic hosts present recorded video lessons, and are available for live teaching experiences if you upgrade. This means that in the videos, you get to watch them pronounce those tongue-twisters as if you’re learning live! Add octane to your learning by upgrading to Premium Plus, and learn two times faster. You can have your very own Hebrew teacher always with you, ensuring that you learn what you need, when you need to – what a wonderful opportunity to master a new language in record time!

Start Where You Are: You don’t know a single Hebrew word? Not to worry, we’ve absolutely got this. Simply enroll in our Absolute Beginner Pathway and start speaking from Lesson 1! As your learning progresses, you can enroll in other pathways to match your Hebrew level, at your own pace, in your own time, in your own place!

So, why wait? Sign up with HebrewPod101 right away! Also, let us know in the comments if you’ve used this blog post, or any of the free lessons anywhere to master Hebrew numbers. Or, even better – share your birthdate using what you’ve learned!

you’re learning to speak Hebrew, and it’s going well. Your confidence is growing! So much so that you feel ready to share your experiences on social media—in Hebrew.

At Learn Hebrew, we make this easy for you to get it right the first time. Post like a boss with these phrases and guidelines, and get to practice your Hebrew in the process.

1. Talking about Your Restaurant Visit in Hebrew

Eating out is fun, and often an experience you’d like to share. Take a pic, and start a conversation on social media in Hebrew. Your friend will be amazed by your language skills…and perhaps your taste in restaurants!

Eyal eats at a restaurant with his friends, posts an image of the group, and leaves this comment:

POST

1- האחים (ha-akhim)

First is an expression meaning “the bros.”
In Israel there is an emphasis on familiarity and closeness. Men who are very close to each other will often refer to one another as “brother”. Sometimes people call total strangers “my brother”.

2- בארוחת ערב עם האחים! (be-arukhat erev im ha-akhim!)

Then comes the phrase – “at dinner with the bros!”
Israeli men love hanging out only with their guy friends every once in a while. It could be going out to dinner, going to the beach, or having a beer. Male bonding can be a very strong time, especially since many times these men know each other from the army. Being in the army is a very influential period as men have to do everything together, from waking up to going to sleep.

COMMENTS

His college friend, Noam, uses an expression meaning – “Comparing who has more hair left on his head!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling frivolous and want to contribute to the conversation.

2- נראה בסדר בסך-הכל… (Nir’eh beseder besakkh – hakol…)

His girlfriend’s nephew, Alon, uses an expression meaning – “Looks ok, all in all…”
Use this expression to show you are feeling cynical.

3- ענת מרשה לך לצאת בלעדיה?! (Anat marsha lekha latzet bil’adeyha?!)

His girlfriend’s high school friend, Michal, uses an expression meaning – “Anat lets you go out without her?!”
Use this expression if you wish to tease the poster.

4- זה בסדר, מגיע לו להנות! (Ze beseder, magi-a lo lehenot!)

His girlfriend, Anat, uses an expression meaning – “It’s alright, he deserves to have fun!”
Use this expression in response to the previous post to indicate that you don’t mind your boyfriend hanging out with this male friends.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

ארוחת ערב (arukhat erev): “dinner”

אחים (ha-akhim): “bros, brothers”

בסדר (beseder): “ok, all right”

בסך-הכל (besakh-hakol): “all in all”

הרשה (hirsha): “to let, to allow”

יצא (yatza): “to go out”

הגיע לו (higi-a lo): “to deserve”

להנות (lehenot): “have fun”

So, let’s practice a bit. If a friend posted something about having dinner with friends, which phrase would you use?

Now go visit a Hebrew restaurant, and wow the staff with your language skills!

2. Post about Your Mall Visit in Hebrew

Another super topic for social media is shopping—everybody does it, most everybody loves it, and your friends on social media are probably curious about your shopping sprees! Share these Hebrew phrases in posts when you visit a mall.

Anat shop with her sister at the mall, posts an image of the two of them, and leaves this comment:

POST

1- ריפוי בשופינג (ripuy be-shopping)

First is an expression meaning “shopping therapy.”
Most times you can just say “I’m going shopping” or “doing some shopping”. But when you call it “shopping therapy”, you emphasize the fun and relaxing aspects of it. Especially when it’s done with someone dear to you, like your sister.

2- מהממת (mehamemet)

Then comes the phrase – “stunning.”
This word is often used by girls to describe their best friend, sister or mom. it’s used not only to show how loved they are, but also to show appreciation for their beauty – inside and out.

Her neighbor, Orly, uses an expression meaning – “Show me what you bought when you get home…”
Use this expression when you are curious about the poster’s shopping.

4- תהנו! (Tehenu!)

Her boyfriend, Eyal, uses an expression meaning – “Have fun!”
Use this expression to wish the poster a good time.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

מהממת (mehamemet): “stunning”

ריפוי (ripuy): “therapy”

לקנא (lekane): “to be jealous”

אין כמו… בעולם (ein kmo… ba-olam): “nothing like”

הביתה (ha’baita): “(to) home”

תהנו! (tehenu!): “Enjoy! Have fun!”

לחזור (lakhzor): “to come back, to return”

So, if a friend posted something about going shopping, which phrase would you use?

3. Talking about a Sport Day in Hebrew

Sports events, whether you’re the spectator or the sports person, offer fantastic opportunity for great social media posts. Learn some handy phrases and vocabulary to start a sport-on-the-beach conversation in Hebrew.

Eyal plays with his friends at the beach, posts an image of the team, and leaves this comment:

POST

1- מטקות (matkot)

First is an expression meaning “paddle-ball”.
Although the origin of the name “matkot” is unknown, it’s the most popular beach game in Israel. Even though it’s a casual game and not very physically demanding, some people take it seriously and even buy specialty paddles to play with.

2- טעות! (taut!)

Then comes the phrase – “wrong!.”
Literally, this word means “mistake”. But its use is the same as the English word “wrong”.

His girlfriend’s high school friend, Michal, uses an expression meaning – “Alon, you didn’t mention he lost to me. Twice.”
Use this expression to participate in the conversation started by the previous poster. Again, it is meant in a playful, teasing way.

3- קדימה אייל! (Kadima Eyal!)

His supervisor, Yigal, uses an expression meaning – “Go, Eyal!”
Use this expression to wish the poster a successful game.

4- לא הוגן! הסתנוורתי מהשמש! (Lo hogen! histanvarti me-ha-shemesh!)

His college friend, Noam, uses an expression meaning – “Not fair! I was blinded by the sun!”
This is a further elaboration on a topic started by other posters in the thread. It is also playful and teasing.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

לנצח (lenatze’akh): “to win”

לחשוב (lakhshov): “to think”

הפסד (hefsed): “loss (in a game)”

להשוויץ (lehashvits): “to brag”

להפסיד (lehafsid): “lose”

פעמיים (pa’amayim): “twice”

קדימה! (kadima!): “go! (lit; forward)”

להסתנוור (lehistanver): “to be blinded”

Which phrase would you use if a friend posted something about sports?

But sport is not the only thing you can play! Play some music, and share it on social media.

4. Share a Song on Social Media in Hebrew

Music is the language of the soul, they say. So, don’t hold back—share what touches your soul with your friends!

Anat shares a song she just heard at a party, posts an image of the artist, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Anat’s post.

איזה שיר מעולה! (Eize shir me’ule!)
“What a great song!”

1- איזה (eize)

First is an expression meaning “what a….”
This expression expresses wonder and admiration and is similar to saying “what a…” in English. In Hebrew it is also a question; however, the meaning of it isn’t “what” but “which”. It can also be used in the feminine -” איזו/eizo”.

2- מעולה (me’ule)

Then comes the phrase – “great, top notch.”
This word describes something of good quality. It also is used for things we personally enjoy. In addition, you can use it casually, for instance, when deciding on something with a friend, as it means the same as “okay, great”. You can use this word to describe something in the feminine as well: “מעול0ה/me’ula”.

Her supervisor, Yigal, uses an expression meaning – “Is that what youngsters listen to nowadays?”
Presumably, you’re a bit older than the poster when you use this phrase. It’s a question that can be rhetorical but also a good conversation-starter.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

שיר (shir): “song”

מסיבה (mesiba): “party”

נכון? (nakhon?): “right?”

ממש (mamash): “really”

להשמיע (lehashmi’a): “to play (lit: to make heard)”

לופים (loopim): “repeatedly (lit: loops)”

צעירים (tse-irim): “youngsters, young people”

Which song would you share? And what would you say to a friend who posted something about sharing music or videos?

Now you know how to start a conversation about a song or a video on social media!

5. Hebrew Social Media Comments about a Concert

Still on the theme of music—visiting live concerts and shows just have to be shared with your friends. Here are some handy phrases and vocab to wow your followers with in Hebrew!

Eyal goes to a concert, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Eyal’s post.

איזו הופעה מטורפת! (Eyzo hofa’ah metorefet!)
“What a crazy concert!”

1- הופעה (hofa’ah)

First is an expression meaning “concert.”
In Hebrew, the term for concert, הופעה, (hofa’ah), is more general and is the equivalent of the English word “show”. This term is also used for other types of shows that are not necessarily musical. When saying the word “concert” in Hebrew, קונצרט (kontzert), it refers only to a classical music concert.

2- מטורף (metorefet)

Then comes the phrase – “crazy, insane.”
When describing a show, an event, a party, etc., this word, which usually has a negative association, takes a positive meaning to describe a strong, electrifying atmosphere or an impressive setting.

COMMENTS

In response, Eyal’s friends leave some comments.

1- אתה בשורה הראשונה?! (Ata ba-shura ha-rishona?)

His college friend, Noam, uses an expression meaning – “Are you in the first row?!”
Ask this to show your interest in the topic, and for more information from the poster.

2- מדהים! (Madhim!)

His neighbor, Orly, uses an expression meaning – “Amazing!”
Use this comment when you feel very positive about, and in agreement with the post.

1- נייד (nayad)

First is an expression meaning “mobile, mobile phone.”
The word נייד (nayad) literally means “mobile”, and is short for “mobile phone”

2- זמין (zamin)

Then comes the phrase – “available.”
This word literally means what it says. It can refer to an available person or available resources.

COMMENTS

In response, Anat’s friends leave some comments.

1- שוב??? (Shuv???)

Her nephew, Alon, uses an expression meaning – “Again???”
Use this expression if you’re feeling exasperated with the poster. This comment is probably best saved when you know the poster well and have a good, close relationship with them.

POST

1- משעמם לי (mesha’amem li)

First is an expression meaning “I’m bored.”
This is a more juvenile way of expressing boredom, loosely translated to “boring to me”. This structure is used as a way of emphasizing your passiveness in the matter (i.e. it’s not your fault that you are bored) and also that it is a temporary situation. If you use the proper sentence structure: אני משועמם (ani meshuamam), it sounds more like you are bored of life in general, and not just right now.

2- משהו (mashehu)

Then comes the phrase – “something.”
This is actually a compound word made of the words מה שהוא (ma she-hu). This loosely translates to “what that is”, meaning, a thing that exists but is undefined. If you want to say “someone”, you would say, מישהו (mishehu) “who that is”- a person who exists.

COMMENTS

His girlfriend’s high school friend, Michal, uses an expression meaning – “Wanna switch? I have a report due tomorrow.”
Use this expression to be playful and light about the poster’s predicament, while also reminding them that things could have been worse for them.

POST

1- מותש (mutash)

First is an expression meaning “exhausted”.
This adjective means “exhausted”. It’s quite a common word and is used in social media and other contexts. For example, a “war of attrition” is מלחמת התשה (milkhemet, hatasha).

2- דחוף (dakhuf)

Then comes the phrase – “urgent, ASAP.”
This noun used to be found mostly in office or military settings, stamped on envelopes containing urgent materials. Now, however, it found it’s way to social media and expresses not only urgency but cravings as well, like “I need some ice cream ASAP!”.

1- כדורגל (kaduregel)

First is an expression meaning “soccer, football”.
The word for “soccer” or “football” in Hebrew is a compound word made of כדור (kadoor), meaning “ball”, and רגל, meaning “leg” or “foot”. Because the word כדור ends with a “ר”ת, and the word רגל starts with a “ר”, one of them was omitted and the phrase became one whole word.

2- כדורגל של שבת (kaduregel shel shabat)

Then comes the phrase – “Saturday’s soccer”.
Soccer is one of the most popular sports in Israel. It is often played regularly on Saturdays by groups of friends. In addition, most of the Israeli soccer league games take place on Saturday evening. So the phrase “Saturday’s soccer” became quite common.

COMMENTS

His college friend, Noam, uses an expression meaning – “You mean, you’ll be losing again in no time?”
Use this expression when you are feeling frivolous and want to tease the poster, trying to lighten up the mood for the poster.

His girlfriend’s high school friend, Michal, uses an expression meaning – “It’s your fault. That’s what happens when you do sports.”
Use this expression if you want to tease the poster by being a bit confrontational. It would be better if you knew the poster well and the two of you are used to bantering this way, because this comment could be construed as a criticism.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

להפצע (lehipatsa): “to get injured”

להתכוון (bekarov): “soon”

להתכוון (lehitkaven): “to mean”

משככי כאבים (meshakh’khei ke’evim): “painkillers”

החלמה (hakhlama): “recovery”

מהר (maher): “quick, fast”

אשמה (ashma): “fault”

If a friend posted something about being injured, which phrase would you use?

We love to share our fortunes and misfortunes; somehow that makes us feel connected to others.

10. Starting a Conversation Feeling Disappointed in Hebrew

Sometimes things don’t go the way we planned. Share your disappointment about this with your friends!

Anat feels disappointed about today’s weather, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

1- טיול (tiyul)

First is an expression meaning “hike”.
This Hebrew word is very general and has many meanings, unlike the English term which is more specific. It can be used to describe an intensive hike or a family day-trip that includes walking in nature or visiting historical sites. It can also refer to a tour with a guide, a trip abroad, or even a short walk with the dog.

2- דווקא (davka)

Then comes the phrase – “bad luck”.
דווקא is one of the most useful words in Hebrew. It can mean that something was done out of spite or bad intent, and it can also express bad luck (like Murphy’s law, where anything that can go wrong, will go wrong).

COMMENTS

In response, Anat’s friends leave some comments.

1- איזה באסה! (Eize ba’asa!)

Her neighbor, Orly, uses an expression meaning – “What a bummer!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling warmhearted.

2- לא נורא! מחר אמור להיות בהיר. (Lo nora! makhar amur lihiot bahir!)

Her boyfriend’s high school friend, Tamar, uses an expression meaning – “Never mind! It should be clear tomorrow.”
Share this comment to show you are feeling optimistic that things will be better soon.

Her supervisor, Yigal, uses an expression meaning – “Didn’t you check the forecast? They said it would be rainy.”
This is a slightly pedantic comment, probably best saved if you’re older than the poster.

4- נלך מחר! (Nelekh makhar!)

Her boyfriend, Eyal, uses an expression meaning – “We’ll go tomorrow!”
Use this expression when you want to cheer the poster up with alternative plans.

POST

1- אוהב אותך (ohev othakh)

First is an expression meaning “love you.”
Lack of the word אני (ani), meaning “I”, in this sentence makes the expression more casual and less dramatic or romantic. However, it is still a lovely way to express emotion.

2- יפה שלי (yafa sheli)

Then comes the phrase – “my beautiful.”
This is a romantic thing to say because it not only means “you are beautiful, and you are mine”, but it also implies that “to me, you are the most beautiful”.

COMMENTS

In response, Eyal’s friends leave some comments.

1- גם אני אותך מותק. (Gam ani otkha motek.)

His girlfriend, Anat, uses an expression meaning – “Me too, sweetie!”
This would be an appropriate response if your boyfriend is the poster.

His girlfriend’s nephew, Alon, uses an expression meaning – “Good! it’s official now!”
Use this expression to show that you’ve been expecting this announcement, and find it agreeable.

3- איזה חמודים אתם. (Eize khamudim atem.)

His neighbor, Orly, uses an expression meaning – “How cute you are.”
Use this comment to casually express that you think the couple are well suited.

4- תשמור עליה, היא מדהימה! (Tishmor aleyha, hi madhima!)

His high school friend, Tamar, uses an expression meaning – “Take care of her! She’s amazing!”
Use this expression to indicate your appreciation of the female. Probably not an advisable post if you’re a guy, unless you’re her family!

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

מותק (motek): “sweetie, honey”

יופי (yofi): “good, right”

הגיע הזמן (higi’a hazman): “about time”

רשמי (rishmi): “official”

חמוד (khamud): “cute”

לשמור (lishmor): “to save, to keep, to watch”

מדהים (madhim): “amazing”

What would you say in Hebrew when a friend changes their relationship status?

Being in a good relationship with someone special is good news – don’t be shy to spread it!

12. Post about Getting Married in Hebrew

Wow, so things got serious, and you’re getting married. Congratulations! Or, your friend is getting married, so talk about this in Hebrew.

Anat is getting married today, so she eaves this comment:

POST

1- מתרגשת לקראת (mitrageshet likrat)

First is an expression meaning “exited before, excited towards”.
This is a very useful expression. You can use it when you are feeling excited for something in the near future. But it can also be used for other emotions as well, like being stressed, happy or sad. However, this expression is mostly used to describe excitement.

2- חופה (khupa)

Then comes the phrase – “khuppah, Jewish marriage ceremony.”
The חופה (khuppah) is a canopy comprising four poles or sticks, with a sheet of fabric tied to them like a roof. The structure represents a home, underneath which the Jewish marriage ceremony takes place. Therefore, the ceremony itself is also called a חופה (khuppah).

COMMENTS

In response, Anat’s friends leave some comments.

1- מזל טוב! (Mazal tov!)

Her nephew, Alon, uses an expression meaning – “Best wishes!”
This is a casual and traditional congratulation appropriate to good news like this.

2- בשעה טובה! (Besha’ah tova!)

Her supervisor, Yigal, uses an expression meaning – “Congratulations!”
This is another traditional response to news like this.

3- ברכות לכלה היפה בעולם! (Brakhot lakala hayafa ba-olam!)

Her neighbor, Orly, uses an expression meaning – “Congrats to the most beautiful bride in the world!”
Use this congratulation when you feel very appreciative of the bride’s beauty.

4- וגם לחתן המקסים! (Ve-gam la-khatan ha-maksim!)

Her college friend, Noam, uses an expression meaning – “And the charming groom!”
Use this expression in response to the previous poster’s, so as to include the groom in the congratulatory comment.

How would you respond in Hebrew to a friend’s post about getting married?

For the next topic, fast forward about a year into the future after the marriage…

13. Announcing Big News in Hebrew

Wow, huge stuff is happening in your life! Announce it in Hebrew.

Eyal finds out he and his wife are going to have a baby, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Eyal’s post.

אנחנו בהריון! (Anakhnu be-herayon!)
“We are pregnant!”

1- בהריון (beherayon)

First is an expression meaning “pregnant.”
This literally translates to something more like “in pregnancy” or “during pregnancy” than “pregnant”. It’s used in this way most likely to suggest that it’s a work in progress.

2- אנחנו בהריון (anakhnu be-herayon)

Then comes the phrase – “we are pregnant.”
Some people like this expression and see it as a way of saying “we will share the burden of the pregnancy together”. Other people see it as pretentious since only the woman carries the child in her womb. Either way, this expression is as popular in Hebrew as it is in other places.

COMMENTS

His college friend, Noam, uses an expression meaning – “Sleep as much as you can now, because soon you will/can forget about it!”
Use this expression to be playful and teasing with the expecting couple.

His wife’s high school friend, Michal, uses an expression meaning – “I knew it! Since when does Anat like mayonnaise?”
Use this expression if you’ve observed a change in your female friend’s diet, now knowing that it’s due to her pregnancy.

3- זה בן או בת? (Ze ben o bat?)

His neighbor, Orly, uses an expression meaning – “Is it a boy or a girl?”
Ask this question to show you’re interested in the topic, and if you’re curious about the baby’s gender.

4- זה הקטן גדול יהיה! (Ze ha-katan gadol yihiye!)

His supervisor, Yigal, uses an expression meaning – “This small one will grow to be great!”
This is a blessing for the new baby, stating it not as a wish but as fact.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

הריון (herayon): “pregnancy”

תשכח מזה (tishkakh mize): “forget about it”

כמה שאפשר (kama she-efshar): “as much as possible”

ממתי? (mimatay?): “since when?”

בן (ben): “boy”

בת (bat): “girl”

ידעתי! (yada’ati!): “knew it!”

Which phrase would you choose when a friend announces their pregnancy on social media?

So, talking about a pregnancy will get you a lot of traction on social media. But wait till you see the responses to babies!

14. Posting Hebrew Comments about Your Baby

Your bundle of joy is here, and you cannot keep quiet about it! Share your thoughts in Hebrew.

Anat plays with her baby, posts an image of the darling, and leaves this comment:

POST

1- מתוק (matok)

First is an expression meaning “sweet.”
Much like in English, this adjective isn’t used only to describe a sweet flavor. It can also describe a person, a quality, a face, a sound, and other things. As with all adjectives in Hebrew, it can be conjugated in the feminine, plural, etc.

2- צחוק (tzkhok)

Then comes the phrase – “laughter.”
This is a very useful word in colloquial Hebrew. If you want to say “I was kidding” you’d say, “בצחוק” (be-tzkhok). If you want to say “this is a serious matter” you’d say, “זה לא צחוק” (ze lo tzkhok).

COMMENTS

In response, Anat’s friends leave some comments.

1- בא לי לאכול אותה! איזו מתוקה! (Ba li le’ekhol ota! eyzo metuka!)

Her neighbor, Orly, uses an expression meaning – “She is so adorable (lit. “I could eat her up” )! What a sweetie!”
Use this expression to show your overwhelming adoration of the cute child.

Her high school friend, Michal, uses an expression meaning – “Well, when are you leaving her with me to babysit?”
This is another way of saying that you adore the baby, while also being helpful. The implication is that it would be a pleasure to babysit such a sweetie.

3- שתי היפות שלי! (Shtey ha-yafot sheli!)

Her husband, Eyal, uses an expression meaning – “My two beauties!”
Use this comment to express your appreciation of your wife and baby girl.

4- איזה חמודונת! (Eyze khamudonet!)

Her husband’s high school friend, Tamar, uses an expression meaning – “What a cutie!”
This is a commonly-used expression which indicates that you think something or someone (usually a small animal, child or baby) is sweet or very likeable.

POST

1- שבט (shevet)

First is an expression meaning “clan, tribe.”
The word for “clan” or “tribe” may sometimes be used humorously to describe a family with many members.

2- מפגש

Then comes the phrase – “a gathering, a get-together .”
This noun describes a casual or friendly gathering rather than something official or work related, in which case the word “פגישה” (pgisha) is used.

POST

1- הנה (hine)

First is an expression meaning “here.”
This word typically translates to “here”. But in this case, it is not an adjective describing location (this is here, this is there) but an interjection: “found it! here it is!”

2- “הנה אני בא” (hine ani ba)

Then comes the phrase – “here I come.”
This is a commonly used phrase in Hebrew that means “here I come” or “here it comes”. It is even used in some popular songs and has a bit of a dramatic effect, like in English. So you wouldn’t use this casually to reply to a friend who is texting you and asking where you are.

COMMENTS

In response, Anat’s friends leave some comments.

1- נסיעה טובה! (Nesi’ah tova!)

Her neighbor, Orly, uses an expression meaning – “(Have) a safe trip!”
This is a common well-wish for travellers.

2- אל תשכח להביא שוקולדים! (Al tishkakh lehavi shokoladim!)

Her college friend, Noam, uses an expression meaning – “don’t forget to bring chocolates!”
Use this expression if you’re expecting sweet gifts upon the poster’s return.

Her high school friend, Michal, uses an expression meaning – “You have earned this vacation! Enjoy!”
This is a warmhearted, generous comment that also wishes the poster an enjoyable trip.

4- ארזתם מטריות? (Araztem mitriyot?)

Her nephew, Alon, uses an expression meaning – “Did you pack umbrellas?”
Use this expression to tease the poster with a bit of irony. The UK, where London is the capital of England, is known for rainy, non-traditional holiday weather.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

נסיעה טובה! (nesi’ah tova!): “A good trip!”

לשכוח (lishkoakh): “to forget”

שוקולדים (shokoladim): “chocolates”

להרוויח (leharvi’akh): “to earn”

חופשה (khufsha): “vacation”

לארוז (le’eroz): “to pack”

מטריה (mitriya): “umbrella”

Choose and memorize your best airport phrase in Hebrew!

Hopefully the rest of the trip is also great!

17. Posting about an Interesting Find in Hebrew

So maybe you’re strolling around at a local market, and find something interesting. Here are some handy Hebrew phrases!

Eyal finds an unusual item at a local market, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

1- סוף-סוף (sof-sof)

First is an expression meaning “finally.”
Literally this translates to “end end” or “end to ends”. This saying can be used to conclude a story, and can also mean a sign of relief that a long wait is over.

2- אפשר (efshar)

Then comes the phrase – “possible, may.”
This word can be used as either an adjective or an adverb. When you want to state that a sort of action is possible, you say “אפשר” and then the infinitive of the verb, such as “אפשר לקנות”. If someone asks you if they can do something, you can answer colloquially by saying “אפשר” (efshar).

COMMENTS

In response, Eyal’s friends leave some comments.

1- יש! (Yesh!)

His wife, Anat, uses an expression meaning – “Yay!”
This exclamation shows you’re enthusiastic and feel positive over the poster’s good luck.

His nephew, Alon, uses an expression meaning – “I can’t believe you actually like this.”
This is a personal opinion, suitable to use only if you know the poster very well. They should have no doubt that you don’t mean this as serious criticism.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

תאנה (תְּאֵנָה): “fig”

להשיג (לְהַשִּׂיג): “to acquire, to get”

יש! (יֵשׁ!): “Yay!”

להחזיר (לְהַחְזִיר): “to bring back”

כסף (כֶּסֶף): “money, silver”

מרגש (מְרַגֵּשׁ): “exciting”

אשכרה (אַשְׁכָּרָה): “actually”

Which phrase would you use to comment on a friend’s interesting find?

Perhaps you will even learn the identity of your find! Or perhaps you’re on holiday, and visiting interesting places…

18. Post about a Sightseeing Trip in Hebrew

Let your friends know what you’re up to in Hebrew, especially when visiting a remarkable place! Don’t forget the photo.

Anat visits a famous landmark, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Anat’s post.

הכנרת במלוא התפארת! (Ha-kineret bi’mlo ha-tif’eret!)
“Sea of Galilee in all its glory!”

1- כנרת (kineret)

First is an expression meaning “Sea of Galilee.”
In Hebrew, the Sea of Galilee is a feminine noun and is referred to as the Kineret (כנרת). The name derives from the Hebrew word for violin (“Kinor”, כינור). The sea was given this name because of its shape, which slightly resembles a violin.

2- תפארת (tif’eret)

Then comes the phrase – “glory, splendor.”
Although a pompous word, it is used whimsically to describe beautiful things, sometimes in an exaggerated way.

COMMENTS

In response, Anat’s friends leave some comments.

1- איזו יפה היא! (Eizo yafa hi!)

Her husband’s high school friend, Tamar, uses an expression meaning – “What a beauty she is!”
Use this expression to show your appreciation.

2- אתם עושים שם קאמפינג? (Atem osim sham kemping?)

Her college friend, Noam, uses an expression meaning – “Are you camping there?”
Ask a question if you want more information.

3- לא רחצנו שם מאז כיתה י”ב! (Lo rakhatznu sham me’az kita yod-beit!)

Her high school friend, Michal, uses an expression meaning – “We hadn’t washed there since we were seniors in high school!”
This is a chatty comment, well suited to share personal information and to contribute to the conversation.

POST

1- על החוף (al hakhof)

First is an expression meaning “on the beach.”
A common activity in any beach town in Israel is to sit on the beach, sometimes with a book, and rest. This can be done either alone or with a friend. Whatever you do, always remember to put on sunblock and reapply it regularly.

2- יותר טוב (yoter tov)

Then comes the phrase – “better.”
In Hebrew, there aren’t separate words for “good”, “better”, and “best”. What you would say instead is literally “good”, “more good”, and “most good”. This applies to all other adjectives as well.

COMMENTS

In response, Eyal’s friends leave some comments.

1- תאמין לי, החיים שלך טובים. (Ta’amin li, ha-khayim shelkha tovim.)

His college friend, Noam, uses an expression meaning – “Believe me, your life is good.”
This comment is aimed to point out the poster’s privileged position.

2- ואני עכשיו תקוע במשרד. (Ve-ani akhshav takua ba-misrad.)

His nephew, Alon, uses an expression meaning – “And I’m (now) stuck at the office.”
Use this expression to indicate to the poster that things could’ve been worse for him/her.

3- איזה פינוק! (Eize pinuk!)

His wife, Anat, uses an expression meaning – “What a treat!”
Use this expression if you’re feeling envious of the poster.

1- חופשה (khufsha)

First is an expression meaning “vacation.”
The word for “vacation” in Hebrew comes from the same root as the word for “freedom” (חופש, khofesh). it’s easy to see the reasoning behind it: In colloquial Hebrew, the word for “freedom” is sometimes used to talk about a vacation.

2- אין כמו בבית (ein kmo babayit)

Then comes the phrase – “no place like home.”
This famous saying from the book and movie “The Wizard of Oz” is often used by Hebrew speakers upon returning from a vacation as a way of self-comforting.

COMMENTS

In response, Anat’s friends leave some comments.

1- לא יודע לגבי זה… (Lo yode’a legabei ze…)

Her husband, Eyal, uses an expression meaning – “I don’t know about that…”
Use this expression to indicate that you don’t quite agree with the poster’s sentiment.

2- ברוכים השבים! (Brukhim ha-shavim!)

Her neighbor, Orly, uses an expression meaning – “Welcome back!”
This is the common, traditional greeting when someone returns from a trip.

Her supervisor, Yigal, uses an expression meaning – “Back to the office with full energy!”
Use this expression if you’re the poster’s boss or colleague.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

בית (bayit): “home, house”

לדעת (lada’at): “to know”

לגבי (legabey): “about, referring to”

ברוך השב! (barukh ha-shav!): “Welcome back!”

לקנא (lekane): “to be jealous”

מלא (male): “full”

מצבר (matzber): “battery (of a car)”

How would you welcome a friend back from a trip?

What do you post on social media during a public commemoration day such as Purim? Purim is the commemorative holiday in which Jews celebrate being saved from persecution in the ancient Persian Empire. It is commonly celebrated with costume parties.

21. It’s Time to Celebrate in Hebrew

It’s an historic day and you wish to post something about it on social media. What would you say?

Eyal is at a costume party at a friend’s house, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

1- שיכנע (sikhne’a)

First is an expression meaning “to convince.”
In Hebrew this means to persuade or convince. it’s used frequently in speech as people in Israel love making a point and voicing their opinions. In a charming way, of course.

2- התחפש (hitkhapes)

Then comes the phrase – “to put on a costume.”
Naturall, this verb is used mostly around the time of Purim, but it can also be used to described the attire of spies and detectives.

COMMENTS

In response, Eyal’s friends leave some comments.

1- תודה שאתה אוהב את זה! (Tode she-ata ohev et ze!)

His wife, Anat, uses an expression meaning – “Thank you for loving it!”
Use this expression to show your appreciation of the poster’s comment, if you’re his wife.

1- מוקף (mukaf)

First is an expression meaning “surrounded, circled.”
This word means surrounded, usually by people, police, etc. But it has a more day-to-day use since it also means to be circled (with a pen, for example). So it doesn-t always have to be used dramatically.

2- כמוך (kamokha)

Then comes the phrase – “like you.”
The way to say “like you, like me, like us, etc.” is quite simple. We take the Hebrew word for “like” – “kmo” כמו, and then we add the correct suffix to represent who we are referring to. So instead of using two words, like in English, we just need one.

COMMENTS

Her neighbor, Orly, uses an expression meaning – “Happy birthday, you gorgeous! The celebrations are just beginning!”
Use this congratulation if you are feeling great enthusiasm about and appreciation for the poster and their birthday.

1- שנה טובה (shana tova)

First is an expression meaning “Happy New Year.”
Originally this phrase was used only during the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah. However, it is currently used during the Roman calendar’s New Year as well.

2- השגת יעדים (hasagat ye-adim)

Then comes the phrase – “achieving goals.”
Like anywhere else, people in Israel use the new year as an opportunity to achieve their personal goals. That is why most gyms have discounts for new members around this time of year. In Hebrew the word יעד (ya-ad) means both “goal” and “destination”. They are both places you want to reach; although one is a physical place, and the other, an abstract one.

COMMENTS

In response, Eyal’s friends leave some comments.

1- שנה מדהימה ומלאה באהבה! (Shana madhima u-mele’ah be-ahava.)

His wife, Anat, uses an expression meaning – “Amazing New Year that’ll be filled with love.”
This is a sweet New Year’s wish for your spouse or partner.

POST

1- הדליק (hidlik)

First is an expression meaning “to light.”
This verb means to light or set on fire. Since ancient times, light was fire and fire was light. In modern Hebrew we use this same verb for turning on an electric light, even though there is no fire involved.

2- נר ראשון (ner rishon)

Then comes the phrase – “first candle.”
During the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, which is a Christmas custom, people light candles for eight days: one on the first day, two on the second, and so on, until the eighth day. The first and last candles are usually lit in a setting with extended family present. It commemorates the rededication of the second Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, Israel.

COMMENTS

Her husband, Eyal, uses an expression meaning – “My favorite Holiday! Mainly because of the potato latkes.”
Use this expression if you are feeling playful and are in a humorous mood. A latke is a potato pancake – traditional Hanukkah food.

2- איפה קנית את הסופגניות? (Eifo kanit et ha-sufganyot?)

Her neighbor, Orly, uses an expression meaning – “Where did you buy the doughnuts?”
Ask this question if you need more information.

Her nephew, Alon, uses an expression meaning – “Eyal, you are not as young as you used to be. Prepare the antacids.”
This is also a comment on one of the previous posters’ about the fried food. It keeps the conversation going.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

אהוב (ahuv): “favorite, loved, beloved”

בעיקר (be’ikar): “mainly, especially”

בגלל (biglal): “because”

לביבות (levivot): “latkes”

סופגניות (sufganiyot): “doughnuts”

מטוגנים (metuganim): “fried food”

צרבת (tzarevet): “heartburn”

If a friend posted something about Christmas greetings, which phrase would you use?

So, the festive season is over! Yet, there will always be other days, besides a birthday, to wish someone well.

25. Post about Your Anniversary in Hebrew

Some things deserve to be celebrated, like wedding anniversaries. Learn which Hebrew phrases are meaningful and best suited for this purpose!

Eyal celebrates his wedding anniversary with his wife, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

1- יום נישואין (yom nisu-’n)

First is an expression meaning “anniversary.”
When referring to a marriage anniversary, we use the phrase יום נישואין (yom nisuin) in Hebrew, which literally means “marriage day”. For other types of anniversaries, people use another phrase: יום השנה (yom ha-shana), which translated literally means “annual day”. However, this phrase is a bit archaic and is not commonly used.

2- לצידך (letzidekh)

Then comes the phrase – “beside you .”
This expression has a deeper meaning than just being “at one’s side”. It is used for married couples, brothers in arms, family members and other profound connections. It implies a common path and an unbreakable bond among people.

His nephew, Alon, uses an expression meaning – “Good that you have found an incredible woman who can tolerate you!”
Use this expression to joke with the poster.

4- אתם מושלמים ביחד! (Atem mushlamim beyakhad!)

His neighbor, Orly, uses an expression meaning – “You are perfect together!”
Use this expression if you feel very positive about the marriage.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

לחגוג (lakhgog): “to celebrate”

יקירי (yakiri): “darling”

עתיד (atid): “future”

להתמודד (lehitmoded): “to cope, to deal with”

מושלם (mushlam): “perfect”

לחכות (lekhakot): “to wait”

להצליח (lehatsli’akh): “to succeed, to manage”

If a friend posted something about Anniversary greetings, which phrase would you use?

Conclusion

Learning to speak a new language will always be easier once you know key phrases that everybody uses. These would include commonly used expressions for congratulations and best wishes, etc.

Master these in fun ways with Learn Hebrew! We offer a variety of tools to individualize your learning experience, including using cell phone apps, audiobooks, iBooks and many more. Never wonder again what to say on social media!

Learn 4 tools and techniques to stop translating in your head and start thinking in Hebrew

Going through Hebrew lessons is enough to get by and learn the basics of Hebrew, but to truly become fluent you need to be able to think in Hebrew. This will allow you to have conversations with ease, read smoothly, and comprehensively understand natives. To do this, you need to go beyond just completing daily or weekly lessons.

We naturally translate in our heads because it’s viewed as the easiest way to learn the definitions needed when learning a language. This way of learning can actually hinder your skills and fluency later on. If your brain has to make neural connections between the word you’re learning, what it means in your native tongue, and the physical object the connection will not be nearly as strong. When you bypass the original translation between Hebrew and your native language then there is a more basic and strong connection between just the Hebrew vocabulary word and the tangible object.

In this blog post, you will learn the 4 important techniques to easily and naturally begin to speculate about the daily occurrences in your life. The best part is all of these techniques are supported and can be achieved through HebrewPod101.com.

By surrounding yourself with Hebrew constantly you will completely immerse yourself in the language. Without realizing it you’ll be learning pronunciation, sentence structures, grammar, and new vocabulary. You can play music in the background while you’re cooking or have a Hebrew radio station on while you study. Immersion is a key factor with this learning process because it is one of the easiest things to do, but very effective. Even if you are not giving the program your full attention you will be learning.

One great feature of HebrewPod101.com is the endless podcasts that are available to you. You can even download and listen to them on the go. These podcasts are interesting and are perfect for the intention of immersion, they are easy to listen to as background noise and are interesting enough to give your full attention. Many of them contain stories that you follow as you go through the lessons which push you to keep going.

2. Learn through observation

Learning through observation is the most natural way to learn. Observation is how we all learned our native languages as infants and it’s a wonder why we stop learning this way. If you have patience and learn through observation then Hebrew words will have their own meanings rather than meanings in reference to your native language. Ideally, you should skip the bilingual dictionary and just buy a dictionary in Hebrew.

HebrewPod101.com also offers the materials to learn this way. We have numerous video lessons which present situational usage of each word or phrase instead of just a direct translation. This holds true for many of our videos and how we teach Hebrew.

3. Speak out loud to yourself

Speaking to yourself in Hebrew not only gets you in the mindset of Hebrew, but also makes you listen to how you speak. It forces you to correct any errors with pronunciation and makes it easy to spot grammar mistakes. When you speak out loud talk about what you did that day and what you plan to do the next day. Your goal is to be the most comfortable speaking out loud and to easily create sentences. Once you feel comfortable talking to yourself start consciously thinking in your head about your daily activities and what is going on around you throughout the day.

With HebrewPod101.com you start speaking right away, not only this, but they have you repeat words and conversations after a native Hebrew speaker. This makes your pronunciation very accurate! With this help, you are on the fast path to making clear and complex sentences and then actively thinking about your day.

4. Practice daily

If you don’t practice daily then your progress will be greatly slowed. Many people are tempted to take the 20-30 minutes they should be practicing a day and practice 120 in one day and skip the other days. This isn’t nearly as effective because everyday you practice you are reinforcing the skills and knowledge you have learned. If you practice all in one day you don’t retain the information because the brain can realistically only focus for 30 minutes at most. If you’re studying for 120 minutes on the same subject little of the information will be absorbed. Studying everyday allows you to review material that you went over previous days and absorb a small amount of information at a time.

It’s tough to find motivation to study everyday, but HebrewPod101.com can help. It’s easy to stay motivated with HebrewPod101.com because we give you a set learning path, with this path we show how much progress you’ve made. This makes you stick to your goals and keep going!

Conclusion

Following the steps and having patience is the hardest part to achieving your goals, it’s not easy learning a new language. You are essentially teaching your brain to categorize the world in a completely new way. Stick with it and you can do it just remember the 4 tools I taught you today! With them, conversations, reading, and understanding will become much easier. The most important thing to remember is to use the tools that HebrewPod101.com provides and you will be on your way to being fluent!